Liverpool’s new signings Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have been told they need to improve their physical conditioning to thrive in the Premier League, with former Manchester United and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster pointing to Alexander Isak as the example to follow. The reigning league champions spent around £195m to bring the pair to Anfield this summer.
Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in June for an initial £100m, with a further £16m available in add-ons, while Ekitike completed a £79m move from Eintracht Frankfurt last month. They are among a number of arrivals, including Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili, as Arne Slot looks to retain the title. Newcastle striker Isak has also been linked with a move to Merseyside, although the Magpies rejected a £110m bid and the Sweden international has reportedly told the club he will never play for them again.
Foster’s comments came after Sunday’s Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace at Wembley, where Wirtz set up Ekitike for Liverpool’s fourth-minute opener. Palace recovered to draw 2-2 before winning 3-2 on penalties. Speaking on the Fozcast podcast, Foster said he had similar concerns about Isak when he first joined Newcastle in August 2022, but credited the striker with adding muscle and learning to use his body effectively.
Foster said both Ekitike and Wirtz “look a little bit lightweight” at present and would need to add strength before they could truly make an impact in English football. Isak has separately faced criticism over his mentality after appearing to burn his bridges at Newcastle in an attempt to force a move. Meanwhile, Wirtz and Ekitike were seen quickly removing their runners-up medals after the Wembley loss, a gesture viewed as a clear sign of their unhappiness with defeat.
Wirtz said upon joining the club that he wants to win everything every year, adding that Liverpool’s Premier League crown must be retained and that he hopes to go further in the Champions League. Ekitike echoed that ambition, saying Liverpool are already at the top but still have things they want to achieve.
