Champion Leagues

‘On the bench’ – Hugo Ekitike decision made after Alexander Isak joins Liverpool

September 4, 2025

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‘On the bench’ – Hugo Ekitike decision made after Alexander Isak joins Liverpool

Alexander Isak’s arrival hands Hugo Ekitike stiff competition as Liverpool’s striker, and Joleon Lescott thinks the Frenchman should be relegated to the bench despite starting the season well

Joleon Lescott thinks Hugo Ekitike will be left out of Liverpool’s starting XI with Alexander Isak signed(Image: YouTube/All Out Football)

Ex-Manchester City and England defender Joleon Lescott thinks Arne Slot should bench striker Hugo Ekitike for Alexander Isak. The Swede finally completed his move to Anfield on deadline day.

Isak became the most expensive British transfer ever when he sealed a £125million move from Newcastle United. Having become embroiled in a bitter transfer saga, his arrival brought the Reds’ spending over the £400m mark, while Frenchman Ekitike is responsible for £79m of this total after signing from German side Frankfurt.

Ekitike has started life on Merseyside in fine fettle, scoring in Liverpool’s Community Shield loss and first two Premier League matches.

But Lescott is convinced he will warm the bench and give way to Isak up top, instead of being part of Slot’s starting XI in place of Cody Gakpo on the left.

“You [Ekitike] can be on the Liverpool bench. You can be sitting down,” admitted Lescott, speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet.

“We’ve seen it happen to other teams. [Julian] Alvarez sat down and he was banging in goals behind [Erling] Haaland for Manchester City.

Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool enters the pitch prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool and Arsenal

Ekitike has started the season well as Liverpool’s main striker(Image: Getty)

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“They [Liverpool’s new signings] don’t have to all fit in, that’s the thing. If you’re playing in Champions League games, it’s not like, ‘Oh, I’m seen in the second team.’

“If you’re missing league games to play in the League Cup, then I understand you may feel like that. But if you’re playing in the Champions League and it’s a massive game…

“They’ve got some tough games this season, Liverpool. If you’re playing Real Madrid and then on the weekend it’s Man City, there is no lesser game.”

Asked if Isak would start both fixtures, ex-City and Aston Villa man Lescott was convinced Slot would rotate his side and retorted: “No chance.”

Olivia Buzaglo and Joleon Lescott on the set of In The Mixer, brought to you by SkyBet.

Lescott discussed Liverpool’s situation alongside host Olivia Buzaglo on In The Mixer(Image: All Out Football)

With a host of top recruits brought in this summer, Lescott is also sure the Reds must challenge for multiple pieces of silverware this season, adding: “They have to win something. One of the big two [Premier League and Champions League]. That’s if everyone stays fit.

“What if, God forbid it happens, what if they lose Virgil [van Dijk] to injury? Put it that way. Anyway, they do have to challenge [for all competitions]. They would have regardless.”

Liverpool had looked to complete a deadline deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who would have provided perfect cover at centre-half. However, despite a medical being completed, complications involving Palace sourcing a replacement and head coach Oliver Glasner making his thoughts clear saw the move collapse.

Lescott also touched on Guehi’s situation, adding, “Marc will be all right. He’ll leave on a free [next year]. It [a move] might come in January, but he deserved it now.”

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Source From: Mirror – Champions League

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