Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitic was interviewed recently and talked about topics such as Slott and Isaac.
Asked whether Arne Slott would be a tough coach, Ekitic laughed and gave his club colleagues a knowing glance.
His eyebrows were raised almost to the ceiling, and at first he seemed to be considering an appropriate response. But then his answer was as direct as a dribble into the paint, especially when asked to give an example of Slaughter's most crucial coaching.
"Of course he told me to stop taking my shirt off! " he replied with a smile, referring to the silly red card he received in this season's Carabao Cup for stripping off to celebrate after scoring a goal.
When talking about the Liverpool head coach who continues to urge him to maintain high standards, he continued to add: "As a player, sometimes you will be annoyed, which is annoying. But I know that he is for my own good and the good of the team. You can say that he is always urging me, But that's not a bad thing. He just wants to help me, so I don't take it the wrong way. "
"Sometimes when the coach keeps pushing you, you can feel like it's a little bit too much and you want to complain - if the coach doesn't. Like you, he will ignore you at all. When I look back on our conversation, I found that the content was all constructive and mainly about my work efficiency without the ball. Most of the time, I am urged to be more involved and contribute more to the team, and I am working hard to achieve the goal. "
Thierry Henry once evaluated his move to Liverpool as the most exciting signing in 2025. Ekitic said frankly: "This is an honor. He is the idol of our French players. I know that he has created a legend in the Premier League, so I cherish this praise very much. But I don't want to just make sensational signings, but also want to be a strong player with outstanding performance."
It is a pity that when the Arsenal legend coached the French U21, Ekitic did not get the opportunity to learn from him. "He didn't choose me then! " he complained with a smile.
While the standard-bearer Alexander Isaac is still adapting to Anfield, Ekitic has become the core of Slott's offensive system. He believes that over time, he and Isaac will form a complementary rather than competitive relationship.
He said firmly: "We can definitely coexist. Although we have only been together for half the game so far, we still need to get used to it. But he is an excellent player, and I have never worried about working with excellent players - as time goes by, we will gradually establish a tacit understanding."
"I firmly believe that not only Isaac, but all forward teammates can form a cooperation. Of course, it is impossible for all members to appear on the field at the same time, but I can partner with any striker and enjoy the fun of playing exciting games."