Ekitiké Apologises as £200m Striking Pair Eye Galatasaray

Hugo Ekitiké apologised for a “not smart” red card — removing his shirt while already on a yellow — that saw him suspended and miss Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace; the club did not impose any further internal punishment. He says he has learned from the incident and is aiming to return, potentially for Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Galatasaray. Liverpool spent roughly £200m on the two forwards this summer, paying an initial £69m for Ekitiké and a British-record £125m for Alexander Isak. The pair have yet to play together because Isak arrived late and lacked match fitness while Ekitiké served his suspension. Ekitiké welcomed the competition and said he can operate as a lone striker or in a two-striker system and is willing to play alongside Isak. Manager Arne Slot has so far favoured formations with a single centre-forward but has the rotation and tactical options to deploy both when needed.