The Premier League legend says the previous Newcastle strike ought to be nervous about his place within the staff
Hugo Ekitike’s current type has created a variety dilemma for Liverpool when Alexander Isak returns from damage, in response to former Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney.
Ekitike scored twice as Liverpool got here from behind to beat Newcastle at Anfield on Saturday, taking the 23-year-old’s tally to fifteen targets in 32 appearances in all competitions this season.
The France ahead joined Liverpool from Eintracht Frankfurt for an preliminary £69m in the summertime and has shortly developed an understanding with fellow big-money signing Florian Wirtz, who arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in a £116m deal.
Rooney believes that partnership raises questions over the place Isak matches in as soon as he’s again to full health. The Sweden worldwide accomplished a British file £125m transfer to Liverpool from Newcastle however has been sidelined since December with a damaged leg.
“I’d be extra nervous if I used to be Isak, sat there watching,” Rooney mentioned on The Wayne Rooney Present.
“His Liverpool profession simply hasn’t received up and going but. Clearly they paid some huge cash for him and these two appear to have a very good understanding of one another’s recreation and so they appear like an actual menace.”
Rooney was notably impressed by Ekitike’s second aim towards Newcastle.
“Ekitike’s second aim specifically was good, it jogs my memory of Romario. Somewhat toe-poke aim however it’s instinctive,” he mentioned.
“He’s the kind of participant I like to observe. He’s not a quantity 9, he’s not a quantity 10. He drifts out large, he will get on the ball, brings gamers into the sport and he can rating targets. So he’s received a little bit of all the things actually.”
Isak, 26, had scored three goals in 16 appearances for Liverpool earlier than his damage however now faces competitors for a beginning place following Ekitike’s influence.
