Ekitike lights up Liverpool in poignant Anfield opener

While the Alexander Isak saga drags on, perhaps the question should not be whether he will join Liverpool, but if they actually need him anyway.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Liverpool

Ekitike (37), Gakpo (49), Chiesa (88), Salah (90+4) 4

Bournemouth

Semenyo (64, 76) 2

As four of their attackers scored in a game that could have been Isak's debut, victory came courtesy of their new striker and their forgotten forward, about a 2025 buy and the 2024 arrival who may be headed to the exit.

Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa may have little in common. But, with or without Isak, it is becoming ever more apparent that Arne Slot has already signed a high-class striker this summer, one with sleekness and speed, the potential to be prolific and an ability to excel at Anfield. And yet a manager who lamented, after taking Ekitike off in the Community Shield, that he did not have an understudy now found a rescuer in reserve. “At 2-2 you need a No 9,” said Slot. “I brought him in and he delivered.”