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Isak injury, Salah concerns and Ekitike running hot: Liverpool's striking conundrum and how to watch Premier League match on DAZN in Canada
Liverpool flexed their muscles in some style on Wednesday night after winning 5-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Ex-Frankfurt man Hugo Ekitike showed his class by finding the net to underline his growing importance to the Premier League champions.
Here, DAZN News assesses how Reds boss Arne Slot could set up his forward line in tomorrow night’s trip to Brentford.
Slot’s selection concerns
Liverpool played a 4-4-2 formation during Wednesday’s win in Germany with summer signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike starting together for the first time.
But it was another night to forget for club-record signing Isak as he was forced off at half-time after picking up a groin injury.
The Sweden international came off having passed up two chances to score, as he did during last Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat to Manchester United.
Slot believes the striker’s recent exertions for club and country may be starting to take their toll after he missed most of pre-season at Newcastle as he attempted to force a £125m move to Liverpool.
Jeremie Frimpong is also facing another spell on the sidelines after sustaining his second hamstring injury of the season.
Slot said of Isak: “When he came to the club, he had hardly trained. So you bring him step by step forward and then you feel there must be a moment where he can play twice a week, and the first time we try – he did it with Sweden as well – he has to go off.”
Isak seems certain to be missing at Brentford as Liverpool look to get their Premier League title defence back on track.
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Concerns over the Egyptian King
Mohamed Salah’s legendary status at Liverpool is not up for debate.
But is his talismanic influence on this current Reds side starting to wane?
Salah has not scored in his past six appearances and was relegated to the bench in Frankfurt on Wednesday night.
He came on to replace Ekitike with 16 minutes remaining but has now started only one of Liverpool’s three Champions League matches so far this season.
On Thursday, the Egyptian replaced his header image and profile picture on X, formerly known as Twitter, removing his Liverpool-themed branding and switching his profile image for one featuring his two children.
The absence of Isak this weekend could see Salah restored to the starting line-up at Brentford, although being benched in midweek has certainly stirred debate.
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Ekitike looking the real deal
The France international made a positive impression off the bench during last weekend’s defeat to Manchester United.
Thus it was no surprise to see him thrust into the starting line-up to face his former club Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night.
Ekitike started alongside Isak for the first time and certainly took his chance in the Champions League clash.
He looked the most dangerous forward on the pitch as Liverpool ran amok, with his equaliser laying the platform for victory.
Ekitike netted 10 minutes before the break when he raced on to Andy Robertson’s excellent ball out of defence and produced a composed finish.
It was a goal which earned lavish comparisons with compatriot Thierry Henry when the Arsenal great was in his pomp.
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Wirtz and Jones have staked a claim
Neither Florian Wirtz nor homegrown midfielder Curtis Jones started last week’s crunch clash at home to Manchester United.
Yet both made the team for Wednesday’s win in Germany and, having impressed, they will look to keep their places at Brentford.
Wirtz has shown only glimpses of his class since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for a cool £116million.
But, having produced two assists in midweek against Frankfurt, the Germany international is slowly beginning to make himself at home in a Liverpool jersey.
Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai were both scorers in midweek and their place in the side seems assured.
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How Slot’s strikeforce could line up
Slot will surely be reluctant to make change to a winning side after Liverpool’s thumping victory in midweek.
Ekitike looks certain to start again and Isak’s injury should open the door for Salah to be recalled to the starting line-up - despite Federico Chiesa also pushing for his first Premier League start of the season.
Reducing the Egyptian to the bench again would raise huge question marks and it seems inconceivable that he will not come straight back into the side as Isak’s replacement.
Given the success of the formation in Frankfurt, Slot could again opt to deploy Wirtz and Gakpo in the wide positions with Szoboszlai and Jones patrolling the centre of midfield.
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How to watch the Premier League in Canada on DAZN
DAZN is the home of soccer in Canada, with the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, EFL Championship, EFL League One, EFL League Two, Carabao Cup, National League, Bundesliga, 2. Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Juliper Pro League, Saudi Pro League, UEFA Women's Champions League, Frauen Bundesliga, USL Super League, and Sports Direct Women's Premiership, club friendlies, and international friendlies are all available for Canadian fans.
For the 2025-26 season, Canadians will also be able to watch the Premier League, Serie A, and Serie A women's on DAZN, giving fans even more top-level soccer to consume.
How much does a DAZN subscription cost in Canada?
A DAZN subscription comes in three options, which include different sports packages, with two tiers in each option.
