Phil Thompson thinks Jurgen Klopp may well recall £37m player to start for Liverpool vs Arsenal

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Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has been weighing in on the form of the Reds attackers this season.

After a blistering start to the campaign, Liverpool’s forwards have gone a little quiet of late. Darwin Nunez in particular is bearing the brunt of the criticism.

And speaking to TalkSPORT yesterday, former Reds captain Thompson has suggested that Nunez may be dropped for Cody Gakpo when league-leaders Arsenal come to town on Saturday.

“You might see Gakpo, I like Gakpo, he poses a new threat completely,” said the 69-year-old. “I like Nunez, he’s just having one of those spells at the moment where I think he got himself a little bit confused because everybody was talking about his relationship with Mo Salah when they were assisting each other and passing to each other.

“He’s forgotten what he’s done best and that’s having a shot from anywhere and he’s not doing the same thing anymore. So, he has to get back to his basics.

“But I would think Cody Gakpo has to come into the manager’s mind, particularly for the Arsenal game.”

Gakpo backed for Arsenal role

It will be interesting to see how Jurgen Klopp lines Liverpool up for tonight’s game against West Ham United.

That should give an indication into what the Reds boss is thinking for the weekend’s massive clash with Arsenal.

After a difficult few weeks for Nunez, if Klopp starts him tonight, it could suggest that he’s now second-string. The manager will want to make sure his best players are ready for Saturday, which could lead to a rest for a few.

Whoever’s starting up-front is perhaps not initially in Jurgen’s plans for the Gunners.

Having said that, Gakpo does need game time. He’s been in and out of the team so far this season. As a result, the £37m man has really failed to generate any kind of rhythm.

If Klopp is thinking about him for Saturday, then it might be wise to give him a start tonight, too.

Personally, we would like to see Gakpo given a bigger role over the next few weeks. But not instead of Nunez.

Rather, we think Klopp should take the underwhelming Luis Diaz out of the team and play the Dutchman from the left. That’s where he did the most damage for PSV Eindhoven and that’s where Liverpool need him right now. It’s time to kick on, Cody.