Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike celebrates after scoring in the Merseyside derby, as fellow big-money strikers across the Premier League continue to find their feet. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
The Premier League is barely five rounds old and, while some of this year’s most expensive recruits have settled quickly, others are learning that price tags do not buy time or patience in England’s top flight.
The battle for top striking talent was especially bruising, with much of the drama centred on Alexander Isak’s blockbuster move from Newcastle to Liverpool. The late nature of the Swedish forward’s forced exit meant he arrived at Anfield underdone, while a number of elite strikers had plenty of time to bed in at their new homes.
Benjamin Šeško, Viktor Gyökeres and Hugo Ekitike all arrived in England with strong reputations as master finishers, and were among the most in-demand strikers in Europe.
Of the trio, Ekitike has hit the ground running, bagging three goals in his first five league games, including in the Merseyside derby victory on Saturday. He is making light of fears that Arne Slot would not be able to accommodate two mega-money striker signings in his line-up.
It is a “conundrum” that Ruben Amorim would love to have at Manchester United. They spent big on a frontline rebuild that brought Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to Old Trafford amid a clearout of expensively acquired yet underwhelming attacking talent.
It is no surprise that Mbeumo has been the standout of the trio, displaying the pace, thrust and trickery that were a hallmark of his Brentford days – his efforts deserving of more than the solitary goal against Burnley. With Cunha also netting just once, it has not been the barnstorming start to the season United fans had hoped for.
Šeško, the tip of the spear, has yet to score in five matches, though there are promising signs in his movement and physicality. Red Devils supporters, long accustomed to ruthless finishers like Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Andy Cole, are not famous for their patience, but Šeško’s adaptation is a reminder that raw talent often needs time to flourish.
It is a mantra Arsenal fans may be reciting with regard to Gyökeres, who is under pressure to deliver after being heralded as a goal-scoring messiah ready to lead them to the promised land. Everyone knew the Gunners were desperate for a “fox in the box” to complement their vast attacking threats, and Gyökeres looks the part – in patches.
One wonders if the weight of expectation is bearing too heavily on the powerful forward’s shoulders – and on the team. His failure to find the net may be forgiven, but his struggle to impose himself in their biggest fixtures so far – Erling Haaland dominated Sunday’s clash at the Emirates – may be more of a concern.
The big Swede will have to find his footing soon, with the Gunners already five points behind Liverpool.
The defending champions have admittedly not been at their fluid best so far this season, despite their perfect start, and questions are already being asked of Florian Wirtz.
The German starlet is supposed to provide much of the attacking impetus and creativity for Slot’s team in midfield, but he too has struggled with the step up in intensity in the Premier League. He has shown plenty of hustle and endeavour, but has often been caught out by the tempo, misplacing passes and lacking the sharpness in front of goal that he is renowned for.
It does not help that Wirtz prefers to operate from the left channel, which is already loaded with talent at Anfield. Slot will face a balancing act as he strives to get the best out of the midfielder.
Critics are quick to compare him with the instant impact Eden Hazard made on the Premier League. Yet,
the Wirtz signing is not designed for instant fireworks, but is an investment in reshaping how Liverpool build their attacks.
The creative fulcrum also has the benefit of finding his footing in a squad brimming with attacking options who proved themselves in last season’s run to the title. And that is before you add the firepower of Ekitike and Isak to the mix. Liverpool fans are confident their team can outscore most rivals – even on off days.
It is a luxury few of their title rivals possess, and one of the reasons the big-money signings at United and Arsenal cannot afford to keep misfiring.