05 Aug 2025 08:58:02
If Isak signs, who starts out of Gakpo and Ekitike?
05 Aug 2025 09:13:58
Gakpo.
05 Aug 2025 09:19:26
Gakpo currently, more established in that position and is more of an integral part of the first 11 at this point. I really hope ekitike pushes on and makes one of the forward spots his own though, that’s if isak come through the door of course because if not, he’s our main man up top and I ld hope we would also keep Nunez or chiesa as back up in that scenario.
05 Aug 2025 09:22:42
Gakpo with Ekitike as striker until Isak gets fit, after thay I'll let Slot decide.
05 Aug 2025 10:00:51
Gakpo but they'll both get plenty of game time.
05 Aug 2025 10:07:47
IMO, We did not bring in Eketike to be Gakpo's competition. We brought him in to complement Isak should we sign him. And if Isak doesn't sign then, Eketike is the starter at CF. Just my opinion.
05 Aug 2025 10:23:11
Agree with most people here. I think Ekitike gets more of the gentle intro to Liverpool life if Isak joins, but I can certainly see both Isak, Gakpo and Ekitike getting lots of minutes.
In the last 3 seasons, Gakpo has missed an average of around 5-6 games per season, Isak an average of 13 games per season and Ekitike barely any.
With regular rotation etc I can see games for all 3 across 2 positions and probably (hopefully) lower injuries.
Great that Ekitike can play at our level at both LW and CF (as can Gakpo) so gives us lots of options.
Not sure who I'd keep out of Chiesa and Nunez. Nunez seems to have his confidence up with a few goals in preseason, and maybe not having to be the main man could help his confidence? Equally it may be knocked anyway from being replaced.
Also there's the fact that he gave up in games last season, and his value is higher right now so maybe he's the one to go and Chiesa the one to keep if Isak doesn't join.
05 Aug 2025 10:25:01
I'm not too sure about that, Oli, I can definitely see Ekitike starting on the left if Isak comes in, alternating with Gakpo.
05 Aug 2025 10:26:01
Ekitike could play left also, his pace and desire to take people on is there to see and ability to hold the ball up gives us an extra dimension as he has tech and phsycality.
05 Aug 2025 11:14:54
Probably a bit harsh to say after a bit part in a friendly but Chiesa looked lost out there yesterday, Doak offers more.
05 Aug 2025 11:17:53
Gakpo all day everyday. I'm not really sure where some of his criticism comes from to be honest. The bloke is a consistent attacking threat down our left side and puts in a shift as well. I think just because he's not the quickest player we've had there recently it's seen as an easily upgradable position. For me if a winger is consistently scoring and assisting without having bundles of pace, it shows how good of an actual footballer he is. Gakpo second only to Salah in our current forward line in my opinion.
{Ed001's Note - why do people say he is not quick? Gakpo is quick, he just has long legs so doesn't look to be moving as quickly as others. He has pace though and it was why he was utilised in Holland with a ball over the top for him to run onto - they knew he had the pace to get away from any defenders.}
05 Aug 2025 13:29:27
Ernest Millar IMO, they're both getting sold so it doesn't matter who offered more or less in a preseason game.
@Westwood, I fully agree with you on Gakpo, all day, every day. And as Ed said, Gakpo is quick as hell. I mean, that's one of the reasons we signed him.
05 Aug 2025 14:26:17
He'll get plenty of game time even if Isak signs as I'd say we'll manage Isak's minutes like Newcastle did on top of also rotating with Gakpo.
06 Aug 2025 07:25:40
Agreed Ed, I just mean pace compared to say to Mane, it feeds into the narrative that we haven't replaced him yet and that Gakpo's LW position is one that is easily upgraded. While he is quick I don't think he overly relies on it. He's a very technically capable and skillful player that can beat a man without needing to be at full pace to do so. I think he is massively underrated and my only disappointment with him was I thought he would be a perfect Bobby successor given his skillset, but just not meant to be.