Wayne Rooney suggests what may see Hugo Ekitike 'put on the bench' by Arne Slot at Liverpool

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Arne Slot hasn’t had many selection dilemmas this season due to injury issues, but Wayne Rooney thinks the manager will have one at Liverpool once Alexander Isak is back.The Reds spent £450m in the summer transfer window, including breaking the British transfer record for the 26-year-old.However, Isak has been injured for much of the campaign, and when he is back, Rooney is ‘unsure’ how Slot will use the Swede and Hugo Ekitike together, even suggesting that the Frenchman may need to be ‘put on the bench’ once the former Newcastle United man is back. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Catherine Ivill/AMA Hugo Ekitike may move position or be benched when Alexander Isak is backSpeaking on his podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the ex-Manchester United man praised Ekitike heavily before suggesting that Isak’s injury has been a ‘blessing in disguise’.He then commented on what Slot would do with both strikers fit at the same time, mooting the possibility of a new role or even a bench position for the French ace.Rooney said: “I agree.

I think all season he’s [Ekitike] been Liverpool’s best player this season by a long way, I feel. It’s almost a blessing in disguise, I think that Isak has got injured because if Isak wasn’t injured, then I’m not sure how Arne Slott would play it.

And then that means Ekitike gets moved to the left or he’s put on the bench.“But I think from the start of the season, I think he’s been fantastic.” Alexander Isak is set to surpass Hugo Ekitike as Liverpool’s main man. Who’s ready? 🔥 Credit: Joe Prior/Visionhaus/ Getty Images Arne Slot already hinted at Hugo Ekitke position changeAfter being injured in the reverse fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at the back end of 2025, there were reports that the striker could secure a ‘mid-March’ return.However, the Swedish media recently claimed Isak will miss the March international break, meaning he probably isn’t going to be ready in the next week or so.But a return is still expected to happen soon, meaning previous suggestions from Slot about moving Ekitike out wide may be put in place in the coming month.Speaking back in November, the Dutchman said: “Hugo could also play off the left in my opinion or maybe around Alex where Alex is more of a out and out is I think the way you say it out and out nine.“He’s just the finisher of the attacks, could drop into midfield.“But Hugo is yeah, maybe more a player that also likes to drop more in spaces coming off the left, where Alex I think prefers to be in the middle.”Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox