Overview
- Hugo Ekitike scored off the bench for France in a 4-0 win over Ukraine and drew praise from Didier Deschamps for a “very, very good” cameo.
- Handed a start on the left against Azerbaijan, Ekitike completed 90 minutes but drew mixed French media reviews highlighting work rate over end product.
- At Liverpool, Ekitike has six goals and one assist in 16 appearances, with just one club goal since late September after a fast start to the season.
- Alexander Isak’s integration has been slowed by a disrupted pre-season and an October groin injury, with Sweden and Liverpool managing his return carefully after a recent bench cameo.
- Arne Slot has stuck with a 4-2-3-1 that limits using both strikers together, as pundit Frank Leboeuf urges starting Ekitike over club-record signing Isak.