Former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden has warned his old club that they risk upsetting Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak if they sign another striker this summer. The Reds are reinforcing their attacking options, having already secured £34.5million Victor Munoz from Osasuna and showing interest in right wingers like Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola.
Fitness concerns for Isak and Ekitike
Liverpool face a decision on whether to recruit another centre forward. Isak was hampered by injury and fitness concerns for much of last season, while Ekitike suffered a serious Achilles injury in April and is battling to play again this calendar year. Zenden, who played in the 2007 Champions League final, believes the club faces a difficult balancing act under manager Andoni Iraola.
"Hugo Ekitike has also suffered a really bad injury that will set him back a long time," Zenden told Svea Casino. "The club has a decision to make with his temporary absence. Liverpool tried to fill the gap last season by playing Cody Gakpo as a central striker, which I don't think is his best position. But if you sign another striker, it will probably cost £80m. Then, suddenly, when everyone is fit, you've spent three times that amount and have two unhappy players on the bench. It's not an easy situation to manage as a club."
Who will be first choice?
According to Zenden, the first-choice striker will depend on Isak's fitness. "If he can start the season well and stay fit, he will be in contention. However, it's not easy for a player returning from an eight-month injury to immediately regain his spot in the first team." He added: "Andoni Iraola needs to keep Alexander Isak fit, that's the best advice I could give. It's not easy. He's also been unlucky, having suffered a few very nasty injuries and not every injury is a player's fault."
Isak's adaptation to Liverpool
Zenden noted that Isak joined Liverpool after a strong spell at Newcastle, but moving clubs is never easy. "You have to settle in, and if you get injured, it's hard to regain match fitness. You don't get the same opportunities to build momentum as you would in reserve team games. If you suffer recurring injuries, it disrupts your progress. However, he has proven at his previous clubs that he is a handful, so it's up to the manager to keep him fit and ensure he's used in the best way possible."
