Hugo Ekitike issues Alexander Isak response and 'not smart' Liverpool confession

Hugo Ekitike, who once found himself overshadowed by the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, is unfazed by the competition at Liverpool, even with new signing Alexander Isak in the mix. The French forward sees the £125million arrival of Isak as a positive, expressing enthusiasm about teaming up with the Swedish star.

"We are playing at such a big club, and I can't see one big club playing just with only one striker," Ekitike said at the Reds' pre-match press conference ahead of their Champions League clash with Galatasaray. "It's good that he is here, even for me. I have still a lot of things to improve and learn."

After serving a suspension during Liverpool's 2-1 Premier League loss to Crystal Palace, Ekitike is in contention to return to the starting lineup against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday. Isak, meanwhile, is gaining match fitness, having played 84 minutes in the defeat at Selhurst Park.

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Although Ekitike and Isak haven't yet played together, with each coming on for the other in recent matches, Ekitike is confident about their partnership. "I have played in two strikers composition and one striker, so I can do a lot of things," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"If we have to play together I can do that. The coach hasn't talked a lot about my way to play or where I need to play.

"He gave me a lot of freedom in terms of being able to link up with the boys or go behind. I can do a lot of things, he just wants me to bring my football in the team."

Ekitike found himself absent from the action at Selhurst Park last weekend after receiving his marching orders for a second bookable offence – celebrating his League Cup winner against Southampton by removing his shirt last Tuesday.

"That wasn't smart," he conceded. "I felt a bit disappointed to watch the boys from home on Saturday. And as I've said before, I apologised to everybody already, to my team-mates - that kind of thing won't happen again."

Since his £79m transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in July, the 23-year-old has made an impressive start, contributing five goals and an assist in eight matches.

"Did I know I would perform like that? No," Ekitike reflected. "But that's what I work for. I think I have settled well. The boys, the staff, everybody in the club has helped me so much to adapt to this new environment. I would say everything has gone well."

Despite his recent form, Ekitike is yet to make a starting appearance in a Champions League match, having come off the bench four times in the tournament with Paris Saint-Germain and playing for half an hour in Liverpool's thrilling 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid two weeks ago.

"When I played with PSG I was young and on bench and was more watching," he said. "I would say more this is my time, someone who comes into this team to help them reach success in the Champions League.

"For sure, in certain way, they gave me a lesson at PSG. I was playing with the best players and maybe one of the best players in history. You can listen to them.

"I want to show I learned a lot from that time and I'm able to make a difference for my team."

Despite Liverpool's revamped squad still finding their rhythm this campaign, Ekitike remains confident everything will eventually gel under Arne Slot's guidance.

"It is going to be a tough game playing here at Galatasaray," he added. "This is the start of the season, we have to still find connections and adapt to each other. I think in time it will be better, and I'm confident."

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