Hugo Ekitike to return in January: Andoni Iraola already showed how he might fit into Liverpool’s XI

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There was good news for Liverpool fans during Andoni Iraola’s pre-Fulham press conference on Friday as the Basque gave a positive update on Hugo Ekitike’s return from injury.“There is a reasonable chance that he will help us in the last two games of the [Champions League] group stage, but it’s still very early to say,” Iraola said.“A big part of the rehab is still to come, but we decided to put him there [the UCL squad] because there is a hope and a realistic chance that he could help us in January.” Who should start in Liverpool’s midfield against Fulham on Saturday? Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC/Jan Jruger With Liverpool fans now dreaming of a forward line containing Ekitike, Bradley Barcola and Alexander Isak, the only question that remains is one of how exactly the three players will fit together in practice.Interestingly, Iraola’s use of Barcola as a right winger during Wednesday’s game against Atletico Madrid can give us a clue.Ekitike may be Liverpool’s first-choice left wingerIt was a surprise to see Iraola pick Barcola on the right of his attack against Atletico, but despite a quiet start, the Frenchman still looked like a goal threat and should really have scored at least once.Iraola has already made it clear that he likes his wingers to be able to play on both sides, and all four of Barcola, Cody Gakpo, Victor Munoz and Rio Ngumoha have featured on the left as well as the right in only four matches this season.READ MORE: Andoni Iraola shares whether Bradley Barcola and Cody Gakpo will be fit for Liverpool vs FulhamAlthough Ekitike is more of a central striker, it is obvious that Isak is the main man in that area.

Iraola may play with a central two from time to time, but that is more likely to be with Florian Wirtz pushing up rather than a player like Ekitike starting next to Isak.This could lead to bench duty for Ekitike, but given the fee they paid for him in 2025, and his clear quality, that surely cannot be the plan. Iraola will want to get him in the team somewhere, and the answer to that seems to lie within the versatility of his wingers.Ekitike can play wide, and has done in the past, and likes to attack from left to right.

This could be where he now fits into this Liverpool team most simply, with Barcola going from the right.The pair could switch within matches, as long as Ekitike can show that he can play on the right side, but, on paper, this looks like the easiest way to get an Ekitike/Isak/Barcola front three on the pitch regularly.Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty ImagesGakpo will, of course, have something to say about this, and it is fantastic to have the likes of Munoz and Ngumoha in reserve as well.But Ekitike, Isak and Barcola are Liverpool’s best three attackers. Fitting them together is crucial to Iraola’s project.