However, any immediate pursuit is complicated by Newcastle’s firm stance the Premier League club has made it clear that the Swedish international is not available for transfer at this time.
As a result, Liverpool have turned their attention to a highly promising alternative: Hugo Ekitike. The French forward enjoyed a breakout campaign in the Bundesliga last season, netting an impressive 15 goals in league play and 22 across all competitions. His performances have caught the eye of Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot, who sees immense potential in the 22-year-old.
Slot reportedly considers Ekitike not just a traditional striker but a versatile, modern attacking asset. While he naturally fits into the role of a classic No. 9 leading the line with movement, power, and finishing instinct he also possesses the technical ability and intelligence to drift wide or support another striker in a dual-front setup. This positional flexibility aligns perfectly with Slot’s fluid attacking philosophy, which emphasizes adaptability, pressing, and dynamic interplay across the front line.
Liverpool believe that under Slot’s guidance, Ekitike could evolve into a top-tier Premier League forward, capable of both scoring and creating much like the multipurpose attackers who have defined Liverpool’s front line in recent years. With the uncertainty around Isak’s availability, Ekitike has now emerged as a realistic and exciting option for the Reds as they reshape their squad for the post-Klopp era.
