The options open to Slot as absence of Ekitike for trip to Palace leaves boss with selection headache

HUGO EKITIKE has enjoyed a blistering start to his Liverpool career after arriving in a deal worth up to £79million from Eintracht Frankfurt.

- By THEO SQUIRES

The 23-year-old had not looked back since scoring on his debut against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.

Becoming the first Liverpool player to score in each of his first three outings since Daniel Sturridge in 2013, the Frenchman’s haul now stands at five goals and an assist from eight appearances.

But after being sent off in midweek against Southampton, he will miss today’s trip to London.

In normal circumstances, it would be an easy choice to replace him, with record signing Alexander Isak leading the line.

But having started against Southampton and with Liverpool managing his minutes, it might not be as simple as that.

At the very least, the forward is unlikely to be ready to complete 90 minutes.

So what are Arne Slot's options this afternoon?

START ALEXANDER ISAK

The obvious choice, as already mentioned. He has made four appearances for club and country so far this season, and started against Atletico Madrid and Southampton.

Featuring for 58 minutes on his Reds debut against the La Liga outfit, it was a slight surprise to see him then limited to just a first-half showing against the Saints.

Elsewhere, he made an 18-minute substitute appearance for Sweden during the international break and came on for the final 23 minutes of the Merseyside derby.

Isak hasn't started a Premier League game or completed a full 90 minutes of any sort since the final day of last season with Newcastle.

Slot has admitted he does not expect the striker to be back to near his best until after the October international break.

He could hand Isak a second start