Isak and Ekitike have only played 200 minutes together and haven't scored any goals in their first season at Anfield.
Liverpool entered the season with a bold decision in the striker position. Following doubts surrounding Darwin Núñez and the void left by his departure, the Merseyside club went all-out to sign Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. The total cost reached €240 million, a figure that demonstrates their ambition to build a new attacking line-up for many years to come.
However, after the first season, this plan did not yield the expected results.
From the outset, this was a controversial gamble. Isak and Ekitike are both center forwards. They are not the type of players who would easily play alongside each other in a familiar system. Nevertheless, Liverpool decided to invest heavily in both. Isak became the most expensive signing in Premier League history at €145 million, while Ekitike cost €95 million.
Coach Arne Slot had previously left open the possibility of combining the two strikers. He affirmed that he would use both if they were in top form. However, in reality, the three-man attacking system that Slot built did not easily accommodate two center forwards at the same time.
The lack of chemistry is evident in the statistics. Throughout the season, Isak and Ekitike only played together in 8 matches, totaling approximately 200 minutes. This is far too little time to establish a connection, especially for two players who need regular coordination.
Slot's trials were sporadic. In the early stages of the season, Isak was not in good shape due to not participating fully in the pre-season. He only made his debut in the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid, and was often brought on as a substitute for Ekitick.
This scenario repeated itself several times, prompting questions from Liverpool fans. It wasn't until the match against Galatasaray that the duo made their first appearance together on the pitch. However, the experiment lasted only six minutes due to Ekitike's injury.
They then had more opportunities to play alongside each other, particularly in the win against Eintracht Frankfurt and the away game against Inter Milan. During these periods, Liverpool began to show positive signs. The movement and connection between the two strikers gradually improved.
But before their chemistry could fully develop, injuries became a major obstacle. Isak fractured his fibula after a collision with Van de Ven in the match against Tottenham at the end of December. This injury sidelined him for an extended period, forcing Ekitike to shoulder the entire attacking burden.
When Isak returned for the Champions League quarter-final against PSG, he could only come on as a substitute. The second leg was a rare reunion after more than four months, but the plan fell apart. Ekitike suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury and will be out for at least nine months.
At the end of the season, Liverpool's expensive duo had yet to score a single goal when they were both on the pitch. This figure clearly reflects the difficulties in building connection and consistency.
With Mohamed Salah set to leave the team, Liverpool are planning to build their attack around Isak and Ekitike. However, reality shows that this plan carries many risks.
Liverpool have invested heavily in the future. However, after their first season, the duo have yet to prove their worth. Based on what has happened, Isak and Ekitike have not been able to inspire confidence.
Liverpool's €240 million gamble, at least for the moment, is running into trouble.