Ekitike relishing the competition in attack from £125m man Isak

Hugo Ekitike once found his way to a first-team spot blocked by Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.

- By IAN DOYLE

Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike looks relaxed during a training session

So the prospect of challenging fellow new boy Alexander Isak for a starting role at Liverpool holds no fears.

Instead, the ambitious Frenchman regards the arrival of £125million man Isak as a positive and is looking forward to playing alongside the Sweden international.

"We are playing at such a big club, and I can't see one big club playing just with only one striker," said Ekitike.

"It's good that he is here, even for me. I have still a lot of things to improve and learn."

Ekitike is likely to reclaim his starting role at Galatasaray in the Champions League this evening having been suspended for the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday in which Isak took another step toward full match sharpness with an 84-minute appearance.

The forwards have yet to share a pitch together, with Ekitike twice replacing Isak as substitute and the Swede doing vice-versa in the recent win over Everton.