A round-up of the latest Liverpool news as Arne Slot targets a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold and the Reds hear a mistake Jurgen Klopp made with Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool star Luis Diaz is a ‘problem’ for defenders
Gabby Agbonlahor has praised Luis Diaz for his energy levels and believes the Liverpool man is a ‘problem’ for defenders. The Aston Villa icon even feels right-backs beg for the 27-year-old to switch to the right-wing in fixtures as he can run them into the ground when on form.
Diaz has enjoyed a solid summer this year after helping Colombia reach the final of the 2024 Copa America. The forward provided two goals during the tournament after starting in all six of Los Cafeteros’ six games. He also played for a total of 512 minutes from the available 540.
Liverpool also saw Diaz start 32 of a potential 37 Premier League games during the 2023/24 season. He featured off the bench a further five times, as well, having only missed one game all term. In return, Diaz hit eight goals and recorded five assists as Liverpool finished in third.
The way that Diaz never stopped running in games also enchanted Agbonlahor, who admits to being a fan of the Liverpool forward. Diaz ranked fifth in the Premier League last season for successful dribbles on 67 and ended the term in 26th place for ground duels won (143).
“I like Diaz,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT (23/7, 17:15). “When he is on it, he is a problem. He is one that can finish better. When he is on it, the energy – he does not stop, does he?
“He is one of those wingers that, as a right-back, if you are having a tough afternoon and you are getting tired, you are like, ‘Please go to the opposite side’. He doesn’t stop.”
Read more about what Agbonlahor has said about Liverpool forward, Diaz, here.
Arne Slot will target Lutsharel Geertruida if Trent Alexander-Arnold joins Real Madrid
New Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will explore a reunion with Lutsharel Geertruida if Trent Alexander-Arnold joins Real Madrid. That is according to CaughtOffside, which suggests that Slot has asked Liverpool to secure a transfer with Feyenoord for Geertruida in any outcome.
Liverpool are not rushing to placate their new manager, though, as Alexander-Arnold and his camp have resumed talks about a new contract. The 25-year-old has entered into the last 12 months of his existing deal, but admires the work that Slot has already conducted at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold’s encouragement has convinced Liverpool to prepare a contract offer until June 2029. But if he suddenly decides that a move to Real Madrid is more appealing, Anfield chiefs will advance Slot’s interest in rivalling Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain for Geertruida.
Read more about Slot’s succession plan for Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool, here.
Ruud van Nistelrooy felt Jurgen Klopp played Cody Gakpo out of position
Gary Neville has revealed that his fellow Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy felt Jurgen Klopp often played Cody Gakpo out of position for Liverpool. The Netherlands great feels it was a mistake to use the 25-year-old as a striker or in the midfield and not out wide.
Gakpo made 79 appearances across all competitions with Klopp in the dugout after joining from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023. But he only spent 14 of those matches on Liverpool’s left wing, with 49 spent as a centre-forward, seven on the right and nine in midfield zones.
Yet Van Nistelrooy would implore Arne Slot to use Gakpo on the left after seeing him score 13 and assist 17 goals in 24 games from the position whilst in charge of PSV in 2022. Neville also feels Gakpo is a different player when he features on the left wing for the Netherlands.
“[Van Nistelrooy] said, ‘he’s a left-winger’. That’s it,” Neville noted on Stick to Football. “So, when Klopp was playing him [as a] false nine, [a] centre-forward or a bit deeper in midfield, Ruud had him at PSV and he said, ‘[Gakpo is] absolutely a left-winger’.
“And you watch him for Holland and he looks quick. He looks like he can run with the ball, he looks direct.”
Read more about what Neville has shared about Van Nistelrooy’s view of Gakpo, here.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
