Arne Slot has been told to put his faith in Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool's first-choice striker as Alexander Isak struggles for fitness since his £125million move. Isak has found life difficult since arriving from Newcastle United on deadline day at the start of last month having missed a proper pre-season of training.

By contrast, Ekitike has hit the ground running by netting six goals in 13 appearances having joined for £79m from Eintracht Frankfurt earlier in the summer.

Isak is likely to be absent from Wednesday's League Cup fourth round clash against Crystal Palace with the groin problem that forced him off during last week's Champions League win in Frankfurt and out of Saturday's dismal 3-2 Premier League reverse at Brentford.

And even when the Sweden international is back available, former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey believes Ekitike should be the man in possession...