In the relentless churn of top-flight football, even legends must eventually pass the torch. For nearly a decade, Mohamed Salah has been the dazzling, goal-scoring beacon for Liverpool, a player whose name is etched into the very fabric of Anfield folklore. Yet, as the 2025/26 campaign unfolds with a few bumps in the road for Arne Slot`s Reds, the natural, albeit uncomfortable, question arises: who steps up when the `Egyptian King` eventually relinquishes his throne?
The Shifting Sands of Attack: Isak`s Arrival
Liverpool, ever the pragmatists, are not waiting for an inevitable decline. Sporting Director Richard Hughes has already made a significant statement with the record-breaking acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. Arriving on transfer deadline day, Isak is not just another forward; he`s a proven Premier League talent, a striker who bagged 27 goals across all competitions last season and even played a decisive role in securing the Carabao Cup for Newcastle against Liverpool. He`s a powerful, established force, lauded by pundits like Ally McCoist as “the best all-round centre-forward” in England.
Isak’s presence unequivocally signifies a major shift in Liverpool’s offensive strategy, bringing a different profile to the front line – a prime, 26-year-old spearhead ready to lead for years to come. But is he the direct heir to Salah`s unique brand of attacking wizardry?
Ekitike: The Uncanny Parallel to a Legend
While Isak represents immediate, top-tier reinforcement, Liverpool`s recruitment team has seemingly found a more subtle, yet profoundly compelling, answer to the “Salah succession” question in Hugo Ekitike. The 23-year-old French forward, a summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt for an initial £69m, arrived with a narrative surprisingly similar to Salah`s own journey.
Consider the parallels: Salah, after a disappointing stint at Chelsea, blossomed into a superstar at Liverpool. Ekitike, too, experienced a challenging period at a European giant, Paris Saint-Germain, where he struggled to make a significant impact after a €35m move from Reims. His four goals in 33 matches for PSG echoed Salah`s modest return for Chelsea (two goals, three assists). Both players, once seen as potential misfits at major clubs, found a new lease on life and a platform to truly shine at Anfield.
Talent scout Jacek Kulig once remarked on Ekitike`s potential to “definitely reach world-class striker levels” during his Frankfurt days, a prophecy that Liverpool`s scouting network clearly took to heart. And in a twist of fate worthy of a football melodrama, Arne Slot`s “machine” has indeed found its gears, with Ekitike already showing promising signs with five goals and one assist across his first ten matches as a Red. He is being hailed as a “goal machine” by Liverpool correspondent David Lynch, indicating a readiness for the Premier League spotlight.
The Numbers Game: Ekitike vs. Isak
For those who prefer data over narratives, a closer look at their performance metrics over the past 12 months reveals why Ekitike is increasingly viewed as Liverpool`s long-term “Salah-type” solution, rather than just another promising striker. While Isak undeniably holds the edge in goals scored per 90 minutes (0.76 vs. 0.50), Ekitike`s all-around game is strikingly comprehensive:
| Alexander Isak vs Hugo Ekitike (past 12 months, per 90) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stats (per 90) | Isak | Ekitike |
| Goals scored | 0.76 | 0.50 |
| Assists | 0.21 | 0.24 |
| Shots taken | 3.13 | 3.65 |
| Shot-creating actions | 2.96 | 3.15 |
| Touches (att pen) | 6.16 | 6.46 |
| Pass completion (%) | 75.4 | 75.0 |
| Progressive passes | 3.23 | 1.96 |
| Progressive carries | 2.65 | 2.78 |
| Successful take-ons | 1.38 | 1.61 |
| Ball recoveries | 1.93 | 2.38 |
| Aerials won | 0.89 | 1.83 |
| Data via FBref | ||
The numbers illustrate that Ekitike is not merely a goal poacher. He engages more in offensive actions (shots taken, shot-creating actions), is more comfortable carrying the ball progressively, and demonstrates superior dribbling ability with more successful take-ons. Crucially, his higher number of aerials won and ball recoveries suggest a more robust and complete forward, contributing defensively and in link-up play—attributes that define a modern, versatile attacker much like Salah has been for Liverpool.
Arne Slot`s Attack: A Future Secured
While Salah continues to perform, Liverpool`s strategic moves in the transfer market demonstrate a proactive approach to squad evolution under Arne Slot. The arrival of both Isak and Ekitike signifies a clear intent to maintain attacking supremacy for years to come. Isak offers a refined, proven goalscorer, while Ekitike, with his unique journey and comprehensive statistical profile, presents a fascinating case as the multifaceted heir to Salah`s iconic role.
The debate over who will truly fill Salah`s colossal boots will rage on, but in Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool appears to have unearthed a gem whose trajectory, skill set, and early impact bear an undeniable resemblance to the legendary figure he is poised to succeed. Anfield’s future attack looks dynamic, diverse, and ready for a new era of glory.
