Who Will Save Liverpool, Ekitike, Mo Salah or £125 Isak?

Liverpool head coach, Arne Slot faces a defining moment in his short Anfield reign, whether to drop Mohamed Salah, the club’s global superstar, or Alexander Isak, the record-breaking £125 million summer signing.

Both forwards are struggling for form and confidence, and their ongoing selection amid Liverpool’s poor run including losing four-games in a row following Manchester United’s 2-1 loss, has raised eyebrows.

According to reports, Slot’s biggest challenge now lies not in tactics but in man-management. For Slot, it’s a test not just of tactical acumen, but of authority and the courage to make a call that could reshape the balance of his team.

Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt presents a convenient opportunity. Slot could rest Salah and Isak under the guise of rotation, but doing so might only delay the inevitable.

If Liverpool lose a fifth consecutive match for the first time since 1953, Slot’s hand may be forced.

Read Also: EFL: Isak Opens Liverpool Account as Chelsea Survive Lincoln Scare

Is Mo Slah and Alexander Isak Losing their Spark?

Mohammed Salah, a Liverpool legend and Alexander Isak, a marquee signing from Newcastle United are both world-class names, but their current performances have left much to be desired.

The Egyptian, once the Reds’ talisman, has just three goals and three assists in 11 appearances this season, while Isak has managed one goal and one assist in seven matches since his controversial move.

Both have failed to fill the void left by Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and the late Diogo Jota, whose tragic death in a car crash in July shook the club to its core.

Without those three tireless runners, Liverpool’s pressing game has fallen apart, exposing defensive frailties and putting Slot under pressure to find solutions.

Read Also: Liverpool Star Diogo Jota and Brother Tragically Dies in Fiery Car Crash Just Days After Wedding

Ekitike Waiting in the Wings

Meanwhile, Hugo Ekitike, who joined from PSG for £69 million, is quietly proving his worth.

The Frenchman has five goals and one assist in 11 appearances, making him Liverpool’s most productive forward this season. Yet, he has started none of the Reds’ last three league matches, all defeats.

Slot’s reluctance to recall the 23-year-old has puzzled many, especially given his energy and link-up play that once defined Liverpool’s frontline.

Liverpool Out of Balance

Beyond the forward line, Slot has headaches across the pitch.

• Florian Wirtz, the £100m attacking midfielder, has no goals or assists in eight appearances.

• Milos Kerkez, signed for £40m from Bournemouth, has yet to impress at left-back.

• Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté’s shaky display in the 2–1 loss to Manchester United highlighted why Liverpool’s failed £35m move for Marc Guéhi could haunt them.

Liverpool’s midfield remains unsettled, their defensive line inconsistent, and their attack now a shadow of the relentless pressing machine of seasons past.

The trip to Frankfurt could prove pivotal. Slot might frame any changes as rotation, but insiders believe dropping Salah or Isak — or both — could be the jolt Liverpool need.

With Real Madrid visiting Anfield next month and a Premier League showdown with Manchester City soon after, the Dutchman’s decisions in the coming days could define his second Liverpool’s season.

Key Stats:

• Salah: 3 goals, 3 assists in 11 appearances

• Isak: 1 goal, 1 assist in 7 appearances

• Ekitike: 5 goals, 1 assist in 11 appearances

• Liverpool: 4 straight defeats; worst run since 1953

Liverpool’s 2025-26 Premier League Results So Far

• Wins: 5 (Aug 15, Aug 25, Aug 31, Sept 14, Sept 20)

• Losses: 2 including Chelsea’s 2-1 before the international break