For weeks, questions have surrounded Arne Slot’s task of balancing the integration of Alexander Isak into the squad while rewarding Hugo Ekitike’s flying start to life at Liverpool.
It felt as though everyone had an opinion — from calls to implement a two-striker system to those adamant that one should start ahead of the other.
Now, Slot's decision has been made for him.
After Liverpool fans waited with bated breath to learn the extent of the injury Isak sustained while scoring the opening goal against Tottenham on Saturday, it was confirmed that the No. 9 suffered a fractured fibula, sidelining him for several months.
The squad will undoubtedly be sending their best wishes to the new signing as he recovers, but with plenty of work still to be done both domestically and in Europe, the manager and the team will already be strategizing on how best to move forward without the Swede.
With Liverpool now relying on Ekitike as their lone, clear focal point up front, how can Hugo sustain the scorching form he’s shown so far, having scored five goals in his last three matches?
Continue to be an aerial force
Before the possibility of signing Isak became real, many viewed Ekitike as a player with a similar stature and skill set, especially given that the Frenchman is just one inch shorter than his 6'4" teammate.
Ekitike has been proving that assessment correct of late, and while defenders may now look to throw everything they have at him on the ground, his aerial dominance has continued to blossom — most notably through headed goals against Brighton and Tottenham in his last two outings.
Hugo gave Cristian Romero, one of the Premier League’s most physical defenders, all he could handle in the air on Saturday.
His well-taken header from a deflected Jeremie Frimpong cross was one of three aerial duels he won on the night — a highly encouraging display from the striker.
Luckily for Ekitike, while he’s still adapting to the physicality of the Premier League, he could certainly pick up a few pointers on winning headers from Virgil van Dijk, long one of the most imposing aerial threats in world football.
It’s one thing to assign an extra man to mark Ekitike and limit his dribbling and ability to receive passes, but if he continues to refine his aerial skills, good luck stopping him.
Work hard at expanding tactical flexibility
Two of Ekitike’s teammates — Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz — have been chameleons this season, capable of playing almost anywhere on the pitch.
If Hugo can add the ability to effectively operate out wide to his skill set, he’ll become even more lethal for Arne Slot.
Naturally, playing in his natural center forward remains the sensible option, but with Mo Salah away on AFCON duty and Cody Gakpo nursing an injury of his own, Hugo drifting into wide areas and creating from there would make him an even tougher puzzle for defenders to solve.
He may not have scored in the contest, but Ekitike did play on the left when Isak started in the middle against Inter Milan, suggesting that Slot trusts him to operate as a sort of faux-winger when needed.
Additionally, while Isak has clearly shown a sharp eye for goal as a classic fox in the box when fit, I believe Ekitike possesses exceptionally strong skills on the ball, not relying solely on killer instincts a few yards from the goal.
His impressive on-ball skills were on full display against Brighton, where he completed three successful dribbles — an excellent mark for a center forward.
If further honed in training, he could develop into a truly complete striker, capable of pulling the ball on a string.
Again, this isn’t to suggest he should become a full-time winger, but if Hugo can occasionally drift into wide areas and whip balls into the box, it would give a Liverpool side dealing with absences up front a valuable new dimension to their attack.
Keep being himself
Ever since his careless second-yellow card against Southampton for removing his shirt in celebration, Hugo has displayed exemplary behavior on the pitch, clearly using that moment as a learning opportunity.
Against Spurs, the ever-pugnacious Richarlison grabbed Ekitike by the neck while trying to bring the ball back to the center circle after his goal. Rather than retaliating, Hugo kept his composure, staying calm against a player who thrives on provoking confrontations.
It’s easy to forget that, besides this being Hugo’s first season in the world’s most intense league, he’s still just 23. So far, he’s mostly carried himself with a calm, composed maturity well beyond his years.
The Frenchman hasn’t caused a hint of drama (apart from the shirt incident) over sharing the striker spotlight with Isak.
In a season that has even seen team veterans like Mohamed Salah lose their cool over treatment, Ekitike has handled working alongside another No. 9 with aplomb.
It’s also clear that Hugo has won the fans over with his charming personality. Between his quirky, fun social media posts, his French flair, and the incredible start to life on Merseyside, he’s already established himself as a fan favorite.
It would be easy to shape your personality to please a fanbase, but to me, it seems Eki is determined to be himself — and I wouldn’t want it any other way.