Jurgen Klopp shares why he left Cody Gakpo out of Liverpool’s starting XI last night

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Jurgen Klopp has explained his reasoning behind leaving Cody Gakpo on the Liverpool bench last night.

Gakpo had started the Reds last two games and was unlucky to see a lovely finish ruled out against Burnley on Boxing Day. But despite a promising showing at Turf Moor, Klopp opted for Darwin Nunez to lead the Liverpool line against Newcastle United.

As it turned out, Nunez had a strange game. The Uruguayan was as involved as ever, but spurned several big chances to put the match to bed. He did end proceedings with an assist to his name, but could have had so much more.

Eventually, Klopp did swap Gakpo for Nunez, with the Dutchman coming on and finding a much needed Premier League goal – just his third of the season. And speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Liverpool manager insisted that he’d made the right decision with his forwards.

“We were talking outside actually about the fact that it was 100% the right decision to play Darwin today,” Klopp said. “Because he kept Botman and Schar together and that led to the space for everyone else.

“It’s completely different if Cody plays there, and he might drop a lot, and they make take up different positions. So we needed him there. As long as Darwin has all these moments it’s all fine. Darwin will score, there is no doubt about it.”

A tale of two forwards

With Mohamed Salah now on his way to AFCON, Liverpool will often need to use both Gakpo and Nunez together.

That’s absolutely fine, both are excellent players who offer plenty to the Reds. But they’ll really need to start scoring more.

Had Darwin been finishing off his chances all season, then Klopp wouldn’t really have a decision to make. The 24-year-old is a constant threat during almost every game. If he adds goals on top of that, then he has to play.

But last night was another reminder that it isn’t a given that Nunez will start finishing his dinner. Against Newcastle that didn’t cost Liverpool, but on other days it has – and probably will again.

For Gakpo, his problem isn’t necessarily that he misses chance, more that he doesn’t really create them in the same way Nunez does.

The former PSV Eindhoven captain is actually a fine finisher, but too often doesn’t get close enough to the goal to show it.

As Klopp points out though, both Nunez and Gakpo have different qualities that will suit different games. Yesterday, the tactical plan allowed for Darwin to show off his attributes. Oher opposition will call for Cody.

The bottom line is that Liverpool are both blessed and cursed with their forwards at the minute. Blessed that they have different, quality options. Cursed in that none are truly nailing down their place in the team. With Mo out of the way for now, this is the time for one – or both – to do that.