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Hugo Ekitike’s Liverpool debut was nothing short of explosive — a goal inside the opening five minutes of the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace, followed by some silky link-up play with fellow new signing Florian Wirtz. Yet, to the surprise of many fans, the French forward was taken off midway through the second half despite Liverpool holding a 2-1 lead at Wembley.
Ekitike, a summer arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt, had lit up the game early on with a beautifully curled finish past Dean Henderson. But with just under 20 minutes left, Arne Slot made the call to replace him — a decision that became more noticeable when Palace equalised and eventually won the shootout.
Slot Explains the Decision
Speaking after the match, Slot was quick to praise the 23-year-old’s impressive start but revealed that his decision was rooted in game management ahead of a busy Premier League schedule.
> “He made a big impact,” Slot explained. “But he only joined us around a week and a half ago after our Asia tour. With just a few days until we face Bournemouth, it wouldn’t have been smart to keep him on for the full 90. At the moment, our attacking options are limited — if he picked up an injury now, it would be a huge blow before important games against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Arsenal.”
Slot’s comments underline the delicate balancing act he faces, especially with Liverpool yet to bolster their forward line. While Federico Chiesa is available, he also missed pre-season’s Asia trip, further limiting match-ready options up front.
Looking at the Bigger Picture
Ekitike’s sharp display suggests he’s ready to make an immediate impact in the Premier League, but with attacking depth thin, Slot is determined to keep his key men fresh. The fact that Alexis Mac Allister — not Chiesa — was brought on in his place will only fuel speculation about the Italian’s future.
For now, Liverpool’s senior forward options are Ekitike, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo, with youngsters Rio Ngumoha, Ben Doak, and Jayden Danns offering backup. Still, relying heavily on teenagers in a title defence is a gamble Slot may prefer to avoid — especially with Alexander Isak still on the club’s radar.
While fans would have loved to see the club’s new No. 22 complete the match, the decision shows Slot’s focus on the long-term campaign. If Ekitike can replicate his Wembley impact throughout the season, the £69m investment could prove invaluable.
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