In a thrilling Merseyside derby, Liverpool's £69 million summer signing is under serious pressure to keep his spot in the starting lineup, thanks to a sensational performance from his teammate. After a narrow 2-1 victory over Everton, the stakes are higher than ever.

With this win, Liverpool has maintained its perfect record in the Premier League this season, now boasting five consecutive victories. The defending champions also showcased their prowess by overcoming Atletico Madrid in the Champions League midweek.

Alexander Isak, who joined from Newcastle United, had a lackluster debut against Atletico and found himself benched for the derby. In his absence, Hugo Ekitike capitalized on the opportunity and made an impressive impact.

In the 29th minute, Ekitike scored with a brilliant finish after receiving a deft pass from Ryan Gravenberch, marking his third goal for the season. This performance has left former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch speculating about Isak’s future in the team.

Crouch commented on TNT Sports, saying, "As Isak sits on the bench watching Ekitike shine, I can only imagine how he feels. Isak is undoubtedly a top-class player, but Ekitike is proving to be a formidable competitor."

Former defender Stephen Warnock also weighed in, praising Ekitike's continual growth since joining Liverpool. Once struggling at Paris Saint-Germain, the 23-year-old has transformed into a scoring machine, evidenced by his impressive stats from his time at Frankfurt.

Warnock remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live, "Ekitike is just getting better and better. He poses a genuine threat on the field, and his goal was a smart, quick finish that left Jordan Pickford with no chance. Liverpool looks increasingly formidable."

As the competition heats up, Liverpool fans are eager to see how the dynamics between Ekitike and Isak will unfold in forthcoming matches.