A major Liverpool summer signing has been warned that his place in Arne Slot’s starting line-up is under threat after the win against Everton at Anfield in the Merseyside derby, as his main rival is “getting better and better”.
Liverpool maintained their 100% record in the Premier League this season with a 2-1 victory over Everton on Saturday afternoon. The defending champions have now won all five of their league games so far this campaign and also beat Atletico Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Alexander Isak started for Liverpool against Atletico in midweek, but the summer signing from Newcastle United failed to score and was replaced by Hugo Ekitike.
It was Isak’s debut for the Reds, and his failure to score led manager Arne Slot to decide to start Ekitike against Everton in the Merseyside derby instead.
The £69million (€79.1m, $93m) signing from Eintracht Frankfurt scored in the 29th minute when he slotted home from close range with a deft shot after receiving Ryan Gravenberch’s pass on the half-turn.
It was Ekitike’s third goal for Liverpool this season, and former Anfield striker Peter Crouch believes that Isak will be worried about his place in the team, even though the Sweden international did replace the Frenchman midway through the second half.
Crouch said on TNT Sports at half time (1:25pm, September 20, 2025): “I suppose if you are Isak on the bench here, watching Ekitike’s performance, I know how I will be feeling.
“Listen, Isak will come and he will play games, he is a top-class player, but Ekitike, fantastic to have two players of that calibre.”
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Hugo Ekitike ‘getting better and better’ for Liverpool
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock was also impressed with Ekitike’s goal and noted his improvement since his move to Anfield.
Ekitike failed to make a huge impact at Paris Saint-Germain, but the 23-year-old striker developed into a goal machine during his time at Frankfurt, scoring 26 goals and giving 14 assists in 64 matches in all competitions for the German outfit.
Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live when Ekitike scored in the first half: “Hugo Ekitike is just getting better and better.
“When he gets on the ball, he is a danger and he has been so impressive in his short time at Liverpool.
“It’s a really smart finish, quick touch and he passes it into the bottom corner.
“Jordan Pickford doesn’t stand a chance of getting anywhere near it and Liverpool look very comfortable.”
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