Error code: %{errorCode}
Alan Shearer weighs in on Liverpool striker debate: 'He's done enough to stay in the team'
Hugo Ekitike should lead the line as Liverpool's top striker, according to Alan Shearer.
Ekitike joined the Reds over the summer as part of a record-breaking spending spree, and the 23-year-old has hit the ground running with six goals in 12 appearances across all competitions for the defending Premier League champions. His most recent goal came during Liverpool's dominant 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Ekitike scoring the first of his team's five goals at Deutsche Bank Park.
Yet despite his relatively consistent output since joining Arne Slot's side, it's been fellow newcomer Alexander Isak who has been favoured as the central striker for the Reds. Isak has underwhelmed in the role despite his British-record transfer fee, with the former Newcastle United hitman scoring just once in eight appearances so far.
And with Isak set to miss time due to a groin injury suffered in the midweek victory, Premier League legend Shearer believes everything is in place to give Ekitike an extended run as their primary striker.
"I think that Hugo Ekitike has already done enough to become Liverpool's number one striker for me, forget the price tags and everything else," Shearer told Betfair.
"He came in before anyone and obviously had scored the goals and looked really good in that position. Then he was sort of shifted out [Wednesday] night to a wider position, he wasn't really involved in the game up until the goal.
"Even the commentators said at the time that he hadn't really had many touches. But then, the way he took his goal and the way he finished it to get himself into that position - he's got every right to think he should be starting on a regular basis.
"I know football's changed and I know it's very difficult to start every game in Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. But he's got every chance to think that he's done enough to stay in the team."
How to watch the Premier League in Canada
Soccer fans in Canada can watch every Premier League match during the 2025-26 season on DAZN.
With Fubo Sports on DAZN, Canadians can catch Premier League action as well as Serie A. Additionally, DAZN is the home of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Bundesliga and more.
For pricing information and to sign up to watch, click here.
