Liverpool put a dismal defeat to Manchester United behind them with a ruthless 5-1 win away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night. Arne Slot's men were excellent in Germany, and Hugo Ekitike was right at the forefront of their attacking brilliance.
The Frenchman started on the right of a three-man attack and grabbed a 35th minute equaliser. The Reds countered and he surged forward against his former club before neatly tucking the ball away after the vistors had made a worrying start.
It was comfortable from there on out for Slot's side as they ended a run of four consecutive defeats with a statement-making victory. Ekitike also made a point with his display and may have jeopardized Alexander Isak's starting role.
Ekitike shines while Isak stumbles
Ekitike was a live wire throughout, showing why Liverpool spent an initial £69m to bring him to Anfield. He didn't just bag himself his sixth goal in 12 games since joining the club; he was a constant threat while also linking up well with the likes of Florian Wirtz and Curtis Jones until he came off for Mohamed Salah in the 74th minute to applause from both sets of fans.
The 23-year-old's performance was in stark contrast to Isak's, and the Swede looks a shadow of his Newcastle self. If a club is spending £125m on a player who knows the Premier League down to the ground you expect an immediate impact.
Isak was poor again tonight after a toothless display against United on the weekend. He was rarely involved and Slot had seen enough by half-time and decided to bring the 26-year-old off.
Slot could show Isak tough love
It's been a disappointing start to life on Merseyside and Isak should now drop out of Slot's XI this weekend. When all eyes were on Wirtz and how he had failed to hit the heights instantly expected, the Dutch coach decided to axe him.
That should be the same fate for Isak when the Reds head to Brentford on Saturday. Ekitike deserves to lead the line at the Gtech and Slot needs his side firing on all cylinders against an in-form Bees side who are defensively sound.