Richard Keys and Andy Gray clash over Hugo Ekitike transfer - 'I'm certain Liverpool said'
BeIN Sports pundits Richard Keys and Andy Gray disagree about Hugo Ekitike's decision to snub Newcastle United for Liverpool. The Magpies were repeatedly rebuffed in their attempts to sign the French international, amid Alexander Isak's drawn out move to Anfield.
Ekitike opted to join Arne Slot's Liverpool instead of making a move to St. James' Park. Isak's arrival at Anfield from Newcastle has raised questions about Ekitike's playing time, leading some pundits to suggest he should have signed for Eddie Howe's team instead.
This is a view shared by ex-Aston Villa striker Gray, but not his co-host Keys. Gray believes that a switch to Newcastle would have assured the 23-year-old more game time, arguing that once Isak is back to full fitness, Ekitike's chances of starting for the Reds will be reduced.
Here's the full transcript from the beIN Sports chat between Richard Keys and Andy Gray:
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Richard Keys: "Let me take you behind the scenes again to our moment in the canteen. You were ranting on his behalf. What was the point you were making?".
Andy Gray: "Was I ranting? Yes, what I was saying, if you're being sold to a team like Liverpool - Ekitike was being [sold]. Ok, Newcastle were asking [about him], Ekitike is joining Liverpool and he speaks to them. He certainly would have asked them, 'What's your plans for me, what do you see me doing?'".
"I can't believe he joined the team after being told 'We're going to sign you but after we've got you, we're going to buy Alexander Isak for double what you've cost. You'll play a few games but you'll not play as much as you might expect.'".
"I would have said, 'I'm sorry I want to play football. I'm a young mid-twenties centre-forward, international, I don't want to come and sit on your bench for seven out of ten games. I don't.'".
RK: "I can't believe that he and his agent, between them, hadn't read a newspaper or were unaware of Liverpool's interest in Alexander Isak. They must have known."
AG: "They must have thought they weren't getting him!".
RK: "The second point is - you can't take that risk can you?".
AG: "No you can't."
RK: "I am certain that Liverpool said to him, Richard Hughes and maybe Slot, 'You'll play half the games. we've got 70 games and you'll play half of them."
AG: "Okay, half the games. Big deal. Wow. Against who?"
RK: "In a modern game - I'm not picking the side. I have no idea. I'm quite certain - I can tell you that Strand Larsen was strongly considering joining Newcastle on the basis that he would be second fiddle, that he wouldn't start most games. But over a period of time to maybe make himself first choice starter."
AG: "That's fine, but let's take today for example. If I'm Ekitike.."
RK: "Let me go - if I've got a choice of going to Newcastle or joining the league champions, one of the best teams, if not the best team in Europe right now, I know where I'm going."
AG: "What and play half the games?"
RK: "No debate. Yes."
AG: "Ah come on. You might be but I wouldn't be."
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