Liverpool fans can’t stop talking about what Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz were doing vs Leeds
Liverpool travelled to Elland Road for a Premier League meeting with Leeds United on Saturday.
The Reds went into the fixture having endured a difficult run of form, only broken up by a rare win against West Ham United last weekend.
Since then, Liverpool drew 1-1 with Sunderland at Anfield, and the mood on Merseyside has been low.
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As expected, given it is their third game in six days, Arne Slot made changes against Leeds, who have been flirting with the relegation zone this term but did recently beat Chelsea.
Sum up Slot’s decision to drop Salah again with one word…
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Liverpool started the tie fairly well, in part due to Hugo Ekitike’s inclusion in the side.
Liverpool fans notice Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz connection vs Leeds United
The Frenchman has been dropped for Alexander Isak in recent weeks, but one thing became apparent to Liverpool fans in the first half versus Leeds: Ekitike and Florian Wirtz have a better connection.
One fan wrote: “You can just see how much better Wirtz links with Ekitike as opposed to Isak.”
A second stated: “Some good movement after that. Ekitike and Wirtz linking up well.”
“I feel like Ekitike and Wirtz would make a great combo,” added another.
A fourth predicted: “Can see Ekitike and Wirtz goal and assist, could be the game for them.”
“Hugo Ekitike is a very intelligent, playful player. When the team really starts to flow, having him alongside Florian Wirtz will be a delight to watch,” claimed another Liverpool fan.
A sixth Reds supporter simply stated: “Wirtz is serving Ekitike,” while another added: “We lack serious balls in the final third. Wirtz and Ekitike are the only ones trying.”
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
The pair linked up well in the opening stages, with Wirtz’s quick passing allowing the French forward to get in behind on a couple of occasions.
He did squander two chances, but it was evident he will have a lot of opportunities when playing ahead of the German, who was operating just off the left of a midfield three with a licence to roam.
It does, however, leave Slot with a bit of a problem when it comes to Isak and his game time.
Perhaps the best solution would be to switch to a 4-2-2-2, with Gakpo dropped, Wirtz off the left and Ekitike playing as the left-hand-side centre-forward next to the Swede.
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