Alexander Isak dug out by Alan Shearer as Liverpool make winning start to Premier League

Alan Shearer has cautioned Alexander Isak that he wouldn't be guaranteed a starting berth at Liverpool following Hugo Ekitike's stunning debut performance. The Reds kicked off their Premier League season with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Bournemouth on Friday evening, with Ekitike stealing the spotlight.

The French forward, who joined in a transfer valued at £69million plus £10m in additional fees from Eintracht Frankfurt, made an immediate impression at Anfield.

He broke the deadlock by calmly finding the net before the interval and subsequently turned creator, setting up Cody Gakpo to double the advantage.

Bournemouth mounted a spirited comeback through Antoine Semenyo's brace, but were ultimately defeated in the closing stages.

Federico Chiesa struck with a volley before Mohamed Salah joined the party by drilling into the bottom corner.

Whilst Liverpool's defensive display raised concerns, their revamped attacking unit looked formidable, with Ekitike claiming the Man of the Match accolade.

With Isak declining to feature for Newcastle in a bid to engineer a switch to Liverpool, Ekitike's display caught Shearer's attention.

"Surely any forward thinking of going to Liverpool, will be having second thoughts now having to play second fiddle to the brilliant Ekitike all season?" he posted on X alongside several emojis.

Liverpool have had one offer of £110m plus £10m in add-ons turned down by Newcastle for Isak and have not yet submitted a fresh proposal. The Swedish player has severed ties with the Magpies and is eager to transfer to Anfield, where there's a vacancy in the team.

Liverpool let go of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz this summer following the heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota, and Arne Slot has made his desire for an additional attacker clear.

Before the Bournemouth match, Slot told Sky Sports: "I see Hugo mainly as a No.9 that could also play from the left or together with another No.9. We need to have one more attacker at least."

Isak hasn't been training with Newcastle and still has a fortnight before the transfer window shuts to secure his move. However, Eddie Howe maintains that there's a path back for the 25-year-old at St James' Park.

"I want him to play. I want him to train," he stated on Friday. "I've had those conversations [with Isak] but the details of those will remain private.

"There is no change to the situation. All my focus has been on the training, Aston Villa and the transfer front in terms of getting players in - that is all-consuming for me. Alex's situation has been unchanged for a while and that will continue to be the case."