Alan Shearer names missing Liverpool transfer that could seal Premier League title

Alan Shearer has lauded Hugo Ekitike's blistering start to life at Liverpool - but he feels the Reds still need a centre-back to maximise their chances of retaining the title. The Frenchman, who has struck three times in as many matches since joining Arne Slot's champions for an initial £69million, is bidding to upstage Viktor Gyokeres against Arsenal today in the battle of newly-signed strikers.

Betfair Ambassador Shearer said: "Ekitike has made a wonderful start, certainly better than even he would have imagined. He's got three in three, I've been really impressed with him but it remains to be seen how regular he will play if they get the player they want in Alexander Isak.

"They might shift him to another position but you can't argue with his record to date. Liverpool need another centre-half, Marc Guehi springs to mind but because of departures and also tragic circumstances, they need another forward as well. From a selfish point of view that wouldn't be Isak but I understand why they're looking at him because he's bloody good. If they land Guehi and Isak, I guess it might be over for everyone."

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Shearer was also full of praise for Arsenal's new marquee centre-forward Gyokeres following his two-goal haul in the 5-0 demolition of Leeds, even if he faces a different test at Anfield up against Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The Premier League's all-time record goalscorer is adamant the Gunners must play to the bullish Swede's strengths to get the best from him - particularly without the injured Bukayo Saka.

Shearer continued: "Gyokeres will have found it frustrating in the first match against Manchester United. He will have felt a hell of a lot better after scoring two against Leeds.

"There's still work to do in terms of getting him used to Arsenal's system and what he wants and needs. If you're going to pay that amount of money for a striker, you're going to have to play to his strengths. Sometimes pass, pass, pass won't benefit him but you can't take away what Saka is good at or Eberechi Eze, so you need to find the balance."

Shearer knows all about hype after bursting onto the scene as a fresh-faced youngster at Southampton. When he plundered a hat-trick against Arsenal in April 1988 at 17 years and 240 days, he became the youngest ever player to net a First Division treble, breaking the great Jimmy Greaves' long-standing 30-year record.

The ex-England frontman claims it's difficult to hold back Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha, scorer of a sensational 90+10 winner against Shearer's beloved Newcastle on Monday, and Arsenal ace Max Dowman when they have already proven they possess the quality to dazzle at the highest level.

He concluded: "Rio's finish the other night was the finish of a 28-year-old in his prime. Given the circumstances, given they lost a two-goal lead and the importance of the finish, it looked so natural - that was the big positive.

"There has obviously been some talk about him and Max Dowman for a while now but it's difficult to hold that talent back when you have that much ability.

"Starting games on a regular basis is very different, I guess that won't happen for a while but being around the first-team, coming on and playing your part is very difficult to stop because of their talent.

"Once you get a taste for it, Dowman won a penalty, Rio got the goal, they will want it all the time. Because of their incredible talent, pressure is going to be there, the club will try and protect them but the people they have around them will determine if they're still around in 10 or 15 years time."

Alan Shearer was speaking at the launch of Betfair’s Safe Sub – if your player goes off, it's not over yet (selected leagues/markets).

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