Arne Slot's expensive new signings at Liverpool continue to remain in sharp focus.
The Dutch coach opted for a major summer squad overhaul as he twice broke the Premier League transfer record to bring in Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Wirtz is yet to register a goal or an assist in EPL or UEFA Champions League action - despite featuring in all nine game across both competitions - and Isak's lack of match fitness has hampered his start to life on Merseyside.
The Sweden international did not feature in Newcastle United's preseason as he effectively went on strike to force a move to Anfield.
Three months of inaction meant Slot was forced to carefully measure his game time to avoid overexerting the former Real Sociedad attacker.
Slot has indicated there will be no further restrictions placed on Isak as he is confident of the 26-year-old now being at full throttle.
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With judgement still being reserved on Wirtz and Isak, the one signing to hit expectations so far is Hugo Ekitike, with four goals scored.
Joe Cole backs Ekitke to outshine Isak at Liverpool
Ekitke joined as part of a summer £82m [$110m] move from Eintracht Frankfurt and former Reds winger - and Premier League title winner - Joe Cole, believes his ceiling could be higher than Isak's.
"I think Ekitike outplays him [Isak] over the next two years," as per TNT Sports.
"Isak misses football games, he gets a few injuries, he's not robust enough where he's there every week.
"When you’ve had an injury, and you’re Newcastle's No. 9, you might have until the second game back to get up to speed and then bang in goals.
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"But when you go to a big club like Liverpool and you come out of the team... Ekitike will come in and start banging in goals. Then the manager thinks, 'I don’t have to take him out, we're winning games and scoring goals."
Wirtz and Isak have only started two games together - against Atletico Madrid and Crystal Palace - and the latter is yet to start a match with Ektike as Slot weighs up how to utilise them together to full effect.
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