Walk On: The Athletic FC's Liverpool show Strikers, status & systems: Ekitike’s rise at Liverpool
Dec 18, 2025
James Pearce, a senior football journalist at The Athletic, and Andy Jones, a football reporter, dive into Hugo Ekitike's rise as Liverpool's leading striker. They discuss how this affects Alexander Isak and the team's overall dynamics. The conversation also touches on Arne Slot's tactical adjustments, particularly the diamond formation, and which players are thriving in this setup. Additionally, they reflect on the recent sentencing of Paul Doyle related to the Liverpool title parade, examining its impact on the fan community.
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Ekitike's Rapid Impact
- Hugo Ekitike has become Liverpool's standout striker, scoring seven Premier League goals in his first 10 starts.
- His non-penalty goals-per-90 rate is second only to Erling Haaland so far this season.
Different Striker Profiles
- Ekitike influences games more by getting involved and linking play rather than waiting for chances.
- Alexander Isak currently contributes fewer touches and looks more like a traditional, less-involved centre-forward.
Two-Striker Experiment Unproven
- Playing Isak and Ekitike together has been tried but hasn't clearly clicked yet.
- The 4-4-diamond or other tweaks might allow dual striker setups, but evidence is limited.