{"id":685714,"date":"2026-07-11T08:26:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T08:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/685714\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T08:26:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T08:26:14","slug":"liverpool-transfer-warning-over-alexander-isak-and-hugo-ekitike-two-unhappy-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/685714\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool transfer warning over Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike – ‘two unhappy players’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden believes his old club must tread carefully in the transfer market his summer\"Alexander<\/p>\n

Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC\/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden has warned his former club they run the risk of upsetting Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak if they sign another striker this summer.<\/p>\n

The Reds<\/a> are in the process of reinforcing their attacking options with \u00a334.5million Victor Munoz arriving from Osasuna and interest in a number of right wingers, including Paris Saint-Germain’s France international Bradley Barcola.<\/p>\n

Liverpool will also have a decision to make regards possibly recruiting another centre forward, with Isak<\/a> having been hampered by injury and fitness concerns for much of last season and Ekitike<\/a> in a battle to play again this calendar year after suffering a serious Achilles injury in April.<\/p>\n

And Zenden, who featured in the 2007 Champions League<\/a> final, believes the Reds face a difficult juggling act regards their forward options under Andoni Iraola this coming campaign.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

OPINION<\/p>\n

“Hugo Ekitike has also suffered a really bad injury that will set him back a long time,” he said. “The club has a decision to make with his temporary absence.<\/p>\n

“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 \u00a380m.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Who is first choice at Liverpool will depend on the fitness of Alexander Isak. If he can start the season well and stay fit, he will be in contention. However, it\u2019s not easy for a player (Ekitike) returning from an eight-month injury to immediately regain his spot in the first team.”<\/p>\n

Speaking to Svea Casino,<\/a> Zenden added: “Andoni Iraola needs to keep Alexander Isak fit, that\u2019s the best advice I could give. It\u2019s not easy. He\u2019s also been unlucky, having suffered a few very nasty injuries and not every injury is a player\u2019s fault.<\/p>\n

“He 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\u2019s hard to regain match fitness. You don\u2019t get the same opportunities to build momentum as you would in reserve team games for example.<\/p>\n

“If you suffer recurring injuries, it disrupts your progress. However, he has proven at his previous clubs that he is a handful, so it\u2019s up to the manager to keep him fit and ensure he\u2019s used in the best way possible.”<\/p>\n

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