Hugo Ekitike is ready to cause Arne Slot a MAJOR problem

The international break this month came at quite a welcome time for Liverpool.

Suggestions that the side were in free-fall are wide of the mark, but three consecutive losses were less than ideal results and it was clear that something needed to change. The two-week break in the never-ending football schedule has given Arne Slot a little bit of time to step-back and rethink things.

Tactically, the Reds are imbalanced. Forwards are struggling to get on the ball and the defence is being left way too open, making it too easy for the opposition to get a shot off. In a sense, we're in a mini 'crisis' right now, although you feel as though the problems can be resolved somewhat easily.

Liverpool's core from last season is still there, although the club has abandoned the 'deadwood' in order to bring in extra quality. It's getting the best out of the new recruits which is proving to be more of a struggle than previously imagined. Positional tweaks might be in order to finally crack the code.

As such, Slot has got a bit of a headache to work through right now.

Ekitike is a MAJOR problem

One initial change might be to place Florian Wirtz over at left-wing instead of the attacking midfield role, because he needs to be receiving the ball further up the pitch. Julian Nagelsmann is playing the German in the wide position for his international side and the resulting performances are impressive.

Of course, that would displace Cody Gakpo from his role at Liverpool and since the Dutchman scored two goals and got an assist against Malta earlier this week, Slot would be making a bold call.

The more immediate concern, however, lies with Hugo Ekitike. The Frenchman has been the Reds' best attacker this season, by mile. In 10 games played, he's registered five goals and an assist. His place in Liverpool's starting XI should be guaranteed, and yet there's doubt about what his role is.

Alexander Isak was signed for £125m after the £79m striker had joined the team. Such competition for his place was not initially expected and it's created quite an interesting dynamic between the two.

Initially, the Swede was made to watch his younger contemporary from the sidelines, as he worked on getting his fitness up. But now that he's nearly completed his 'pre-season' plan, we're finally going to see the pair battle it out for minutes. It's going to be a fascinating duel to keep an eye on.

Despite his lack of form, you'd expect the older and more experienced in Isak to get the nod from Slot on a more regular basis, since Ekitike is still developing. But it's going to be a really tough call.

In his first senior start for France on Friday night, Ekitike managed to register an assist for Kylian Mbappe and he was relentless in his pursuit of getting on the scoresheet, taking eight shots overall.

One effort in particular hit the woodwork after he scurried past Azerbaijan's defenders before cutting a shot across goal. He was electric and it feels somewhat far-fetched to consider benching him.

If Slot really wants to shoe-horn him into the side, while Isak plays centrally, then displacing Gakpo at left-wing is a possibility, although Wirtz is eyeing up that role and it's a difficult compromise to make.

Each of the forwards getting into a run of form isn't a problem as such. Liverpool will be delighted to see them find some rhythm before they return to Merseyside next week, but managing the player's expectations to feature in the starting XI is going to be an uphill battle. Let's hope Slot has a plan.

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