Liverpool might already have Hugo Ekitike stop-gap who Andoni Iraola is about to meet

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Liverpool will be without Hugo Ekitike for a substantial period of time because of his injury, but Andoni Iraola may already have the stopgap he requires in the short-termHugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong during a Liverpool gym session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)There was a school of thought pushed forward by some last summer that Liverpool signing Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike in the same window was excessive.Around a year on, the pair have rarely played alongside one another. He didn't really get the chance to use them, and Andoni Iraola, who has taken over from the Dutchman, will have to be patient too.As it stands, Liverpool only has five 'senior' forwards available, and one of those is the 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha.

Another is Federico Chiesa, who has started two Premier League games in two seasons.Victor Munoz, the summer signing from Osasuna, is yet to meet his new teammates after having a break following the World Cup, while Isak and Cody Gakpo complete the forward line.Given that Iraola's system has looked like a 4-4-2 at times, you could perhaps include Florian Wirtz and Harvey Elliott in the attacking group, with the number 10 very advanced, especially in the press.Even then, though, Liverpool has seven senior options for four positions. Gakpo, meanwhile, is a good goalscorer, but might actually fit better elsewhere in the Liverpool system under the new head coach.For the Netherlands, Gakpo has successfully played a central role in the past.

While it is not perfect for him, he could fit in either as a number nine or a number 10 in this new-look, front-footed set-up.If Gakpo were to play both of those central roles, he would effectively be the Ekitike cover — a better option than Chiesa down the center, albeit not the absolute dream option.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.Ultimately, Liverpool spending big on another number nine to fill the Ekitike gap feels impossible given that when the 24-year-old comes back, he will expect minutes.But Gakpo could do the job to a reasonable level in the meantime, with others better suited to offering width and quality on the flanks, as long as there are sufficient numbers of bodies by the September 1 transfer deadline.Amid growing speculation that Gakpo could be the subject of strong interest from Tottenham, the Netherlands ace will meet Iraola this week for the first time since the Spaniard took over.Right now, with the limited number of options that Liverpool has in forward areas, losing Gakpo would be a non-starter.