Premier League legend says former Newcastle striker should be worried about his place in the team
Hugo Ekitike’s recent form has created a selection dilemma for Liverpool when Alexander Isak returns from injury, says former Manchester United And England striker Wayne Rooney.
Ekitike scored twice as Liverpool came from behind to beat Newcastle at Anfield on Saturday, taking the 23-year-old’s tally to 15 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions this season.
The French striker joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial fee of £69million this summer and quickly developed an understanding with compatriot Florian Wirtz, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in a £116million deal.
Rooney believes the partnership raises questions about Isak’s place once he is fully fit again. The Sweden international made a British record £125million move to Liverpool from Newcastle but has been sidelined since December with a broken leg.
“I would be more worried if I was Isak, sitting there watching,” Rooney told The Wayne Rooney Show.
“His career at Liverpool just hasn’t taken off yet. Obviously they paid a lot of money for him and those two seem to have a very good understanding of each other’s game and they look like a real threat.”
Rooney was particularly impressed by Ekitike’s second goal against Newcastle.
“Ekitike’s second goal in particular was brilliant, it reminds me of Romario. A bit of a push goal but it’s instinctive,” he said.
“He’s the type of player I like to watch. He’s not a number 9, he’s not a number 10. He gets away, he takes the ball, brings players into the game and he can score goals. So he really has a bit of everything.”
Isak, 26, had scored tthree goals in 16 appearances for Liverpool before his injury, but now faces competition for a starting place following Ekitike’s impact.
