When Carragher Calls for a Slot Upgrade: Can Liverpool Fit Isak and Ekitike Together?

A Plan to Fit Isaac and Ekitike in One XI

Jamie Carragher challenged Arne Slot to craft a system that can feature Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the starting lineup, unlocking Liverpool’s best attacking potential. The idea isn’t simply to crowd the field with talent but to design a shape that lets both young guns shine without sidelining stalwarts.

The legendary defender notes that Slot faces a genuine test after a busy summer in which Liverpool added a string of high-profile names. In addition to strengthening the back line, with two defensive signings, the club reportedly splashed large sums on midfield reinforcements and attackers alike, aiming to turn their attack into a seamless machine rather than a collection of glittering pieces.

Among the big investments, one ticket reportedly cost about 116 million pounds for Florian Wirtz, while Hugo Ekitike joined for around 79 million, and Alexander Isak arrived from Newcastle United for roughly 125 million. Isak and Ekitike are clear game-changers on paper, but integrating them into one cohesive unit represents the real challenge for Slot.

Despite a wealth of attacking options, Slot must solve a practical riddle: how to deploy all these players in the same team sheet. Isak and Ekitike could potentially share the limelight if Slot adapts the system to their strengths without compromising the team’s balance.

One possibility is Ekitike on the left to free space for Isak’s movements in the middle, while Cody Gakpo continues to deliver quality, and Mohamed Salah remains a constant threat on the right. Yet the defensive duties provided by Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai this season complicate any shift away from a trusted structure.

Carragher argues Slot must find a solution that allows Isak and Ekitike to play together and exploit their combined quality. In Carragher’s words, quoted by The Mirror, the summer “felt like Real Madrid’s”—exciting for signings, but not necessarily Liverpool’s traditional style. Yet he admits the enthusiasm is real because the club is assembling a squad capable of competing with Europe’s elite.

He adds that Slot could benefit from adopting Carlo Ancelotti’s knack for fitting stars into their best roles, ensuring the system serves the players rather than forcing them into rigid positions. Liverpool has typically operated with a 4-2-3-1, but Slot may need to tweak that shape to maximize the talent at his disposal and prevent Isak or Ekitike from spending too long on the bench. If Virtz’s price tag and the star-studded arrivals are to justify the transfer window, a clear, workable plan is essential.

“I’m eager to see how Slot handles this conundrum, especially regarding Isak and Ekitike,” Carragher told The Mirror. “It isn’t enough to start one and bench the other; there must be a way to get them both on the pitch.”

Liverpool Legend

Jamie Carragher remains one of Liverpool’s defining figures and a symbol of loyalty and professionalism in English football. Born in 1978 in Bootle, he joined the club’s academy early and began his professional career with the first team in 1996 under coach Roy Evans. His leadership and tenacity anchored Liverpool’s defense for more than 16 years.

Carragher played over 730 matches for Liverpool across all competitions, making him the second-most capped player in the club’s history behind Ian Callaghan. He was renowned for his physicality, his ability to read the game, and his unwavering commitment to the club’s crest, even during tough spells in the Premier League era.

With Liverpool, he claimed several major trophies, including the 2005 UEFA Champions League title in the famous comeback against Milan, the 2006 FA Cup, the League Cup, and multiple European and domestic honors. Although he never clinched the league title as a player, his status among the fanbase endures as a model of loyalty and professionalism. Carragher retired in 2013 and transitioned to broadcasting with Sky Sports, where his incisive and sometimes sharp assessments have become a fixture of English football analysis. His on-air debates with former rival Gary Neville have added a dash of entertainment to insightful commentary, further cementing his legacy as a Liverpool icon and a symbol of enduring commitment to the club.