Liverpool’s summer of 2025 was nothing short of dramatic, with the club splashing out a staggering £204 million to secure the signatures of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak. Both strikers arrived with big reputations and even bigger expectations, but as the autumn leaves begin to fall, it’s Ekitike who has seized the early spotlight while Isak’s journey is unfolding at a more measured pace.
Manager Arne Slot and the Liverpool hierarchy have been quick to urge patience regarding Isak’s integration. The Sweden international, snapped up from Newcastle United for a British transfer record of £125 million, was never expected to hit peak sharpness overnight. Club insiders have set a realistic timeline, targeting three months from his arrival as the period needed for Isak to reach full fitness and truly settle into Liverpool’s demanding system.
“Progression over perfection” seems to be the mantra at Anfield these days. Liverpool’s micro-targets for Isak are clear: reduce minutes of rust, increase minutes of rhythm, and monitor how often he arrives on the last line at top speed. The club’s focus is on building his conditioning base gradually over weeks, not days, with the expectation that real, repeatable output will follow only when his body is fully tuned for the Premier League’s relentless pace.
While Isak’s adaptation is a work in progress, Hugo Ekitike has wasted no time in making his mark. Signed from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth up to £79 million, the 23-year-old Frenchman has already become Liverpool’s top scorer this term, notching five goals in all competitions since his July arrival. His performances have drawn praise from all quarters, none more so than former England striker Jermain Defoe.
Defoe, who sits tenth on the Premier League’s all-time scorers list, has been effusive in his assessment of Ekitike’s start. Speaking on the Could It Be Magic podcast, Defoe said, “Everything I’ve seen so far, it’s been top, top level and he’s 23 years old.” He went on to highlight Ekitike’s movement, timing, and finishing, singling out the Frenchman’s goal against Everton as a textbook example of centre-forward play. “The run, the touch and the finish, it’s everything that I’d want to coach, a centre forward. In terms of the timing of the movement. Then when the chance came, focus on the first touch, away from the defender, then how quick can you get your shot off?”
Defoe’s endorsement doesn’t stop there. He believes Ekitike deserves to be leading Liverpool’s line ahead of Isak at the moment, not just because of his goals but also his all-round play. “I just think that he’s got the shirt right now. And not just the goals, but just everything around it. Like, I think he can do everything,” Defoe observed, reflecting on Ekitike’s ability to come off the line, time his runs, and execute with soft touches that unsettle defenders.
Tactically, Isak’s arrival was expected to reshape Liverpool’s attack. Slot’s system last season saw the number nine often dropping between the lines, drawing centre-backs out and creating space for wide players. Isak, however, is more of a traditional striker—he prefers to play on the shoulder, threaten in behind, and finish quickly. This shift changes the geometry for Mohamed Salah on the right and the creative hubs behind the strikers. When Florian Wirtz, for example, receives the ball between the lines and releases it early, Isak’s instinct is to make a vertical run, aiming to convert chances with minimal touches in the box.
But the adaptation hasn’t been seamless. With Liverpool’s right-back zone unsettled and the midfield balance still evolving, the supply lines to Isak can look fragmented. None of this is an indictment of the player; rather, it highlights just how interdependent elite football systems are. The club is keen to avoid quick fixes that might compromise their long-term structure, preferring instead to embed Isak properly so his strengths can be fully harnessed.
The difference between form and fitness is often misunderstood in football circles. Confidence for a striker usually follows once the body is firing on all cylinders—repeat sprints, duels, and accelerations without hesitation. Liverpool’s data-driven approach is less concerned with social media highlights and more focused on metrics like high-intensity metres, second-phase presses, and the quality of first contact in crowded penalty areas. The eye test, too, suggests Isak is on the right trajectory: his front-post darts, blind-side movements, and subtle delays to lose markers are all there. What’s missing, for now, is the sheer run volume that turns a couple of half-chances into a handful of genuine scoring opportunities each match.
Meanwhile, Ekitike’s confidence looks sky-high. His five-goal haul has not only endeared him to the Anfield faithful but also placed him firmly in the plans for both club and country. As France prepare to face Azerbaijan in a World Cup qualifier on Friday evening, Ekitike could well feature for Les Bleus, while Isak is likely to suit up for Sweden in their clash against Switzerland. These international outings offer both strikers a chance to further hone their sharpness ahead of Liverpool’s return to action.
The Reds are set to host archrivals Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, a fixture that comes with added significance as Liverpool look to halt a run of three successive defeats. The pressure is on, but Slot and his coaching staff remain committed to their patient approach, especially with Isak. The message from inside the club is clear: Liverpool’s season, and Isak’s impact, won’t be defined in October. The real payoff is expected further down the line, as fitness and tactical understanding converge.
For now, the plan is simple—keep building Isak’s minutes sensibly, ensure the service is consistent, and trust in the recruitment that brought both him and Ekitike to Merseyside. The hope is that, as the weeks roll by, the conversation will shift from patience to payoff, with both strikers playing pivotal roles in Liverpool’s pursuit of silverware.
As the international break unfolds and anticipation builds for the clash with Manchester United, Liverpool fans can take heart in knowing that the club is playing the long game. Ekitike’s electric start and Isak’s steady progress offer a tantalizing glimpse of what could be a formidable partnership—one that, if nurtured correctly, might just redefine the Reds’ attack for seasons to come.
