Liverpool given strange Hugo Ekitike explanation in Alexander Isak starting battle

Hugo Ekitike has found himself demoted to Arne Slot's subs bench as of late, with the Dutchman seeing little return on £125m deadline day signing Alexander Isak leading Liverpool's line

Glen Johnson claims Hugo Ekitike isn't starting under Arne Slot due to 'politics' at Liverpool. The French striker joined the Reds in a £79million switch from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.

The 23-year-old wasted no time making his mark at Anfield, either. Ekitike found the back of the net in Liverpool's Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace, before scoring again against Bournemouth in the Premier League just five days later.

He then bagged another against Newcastle United in Liverpool's next match to register three goals from three outings with the club. However, when Alexander Isak completed his £125m switch from the Magpies on deadline day, Ekitike's spot in the team came under scrutiny - considering he had mainly been deployed as a centre-forward.

While the summer arrival succeeded in retaining his spot in the starting XI through September, he has lately been relegated to the substitutes' bench, with Isak spearheading the attack instead. For perspective, Ekitike was limited to just 16 minutes in Liverpool's 2-1 reverse against Chelsea, and 28 minutes in the club's northwest derby defeat on Sunday.

And according to Johnson, it's the politics surrounding Isak's hefty transfer fee which are now restricting Ekitike's playing time at present. Speaking to Aceodds, the former Liverpool player said: "I think Isak and Ekitike can coexist in the same starting XI.

"I think they're totally different players. Of course, Isak is going to come in with the business they put behind that deal to happen. Isak comes in as the record signing and he's going to have to play.

"But at the same time he needs to live up to his reputation and the fee. Ekitike for me, he should be starting every game. Politically, he can't right now because of the business they've done, Isak has to start.

"At the same time, you have to be ruthless and win games. If that's the best player, regardless of being a record signing, he needs to play. And if they can work round it and play them together, that's what you sign both for.

"I think they can It's still early days. Isak is a proper striker. He's not the best footballer, in terms of dropping back and all that. He's just a goal-scoring machine.

"Ekitike can drop back. So as long as they can work together, in time it can come good. But for me, if I was Ekitike right now, I'd be fuming."

While Ekitike can also feature out wide, the issue is that Cody Gakpo has been virtually unstoppable for the Reds lately. And despite Mohamed Salah's surprising struggles this season, Slot might be reluctant to drop the Egyptian considering his vast experience and moments of pure magic.

As fans eagerly await Slot's team selection for the upcoming Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday evening, Ekitike is undoubtedly chomping at the bit to face his old club. However, Isak will also be keen to find form, with his only goal since joining Liverpool coming in a Carabao Cup match against Southampton.

Slot will be desperate to end a dreadful four-match losing streak when his side lands at Deutsche Bank Park. The Reds have suffered a series of set-backs - including a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, a 1-0 Champions League loss to Galatasaray and a 2-1 defeat by Chelsea before the October international break.

After returning to Anfield refreshed from the break, they were dealt another blow with a 2-1 loss to arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday.