Arne Slot has been told a change is needed when Liverpool face Sunderland later today.
The Reds can win back ground in the race for Champions League qualification after Chelsea and Man United dropped points last night.
Liverpool’s record against newly-promoted sides suggests they won’t lose this game, but really, anything but a win will leave fans disappointed.
Discuss: Liverpool are worse to watch this season than under Roy Hodgson
A bleak comparison for Slot 😬
Apparently, so will Slot if he continues to make the same choice for his front line.
Liverpool fans want Slot to bench Cody Gakpo against Sunderland
It has become somewhat of a running joke, but Slot really likes Cody Gakpo.
He has been a fixture in the side for much of this season, and while his output has been okay, his general play has often frustrated.
Fans were asked for their take on the Dutchman on Rousing The Kop’s TalkingPoints platform, with many calls for Slot to change it up on the left. Rio Ngumoha was the popular suggestion.
One fan says: “Don’t see why Rio shouldn’t be given a chance to be honest! Always a threat, and can play himself into the game if given a chance from the start.”
Another is on the same page. “Lack of depth is a problem but I’d rather try Rio out there. What’s the worst that can happen, another game without a PL win?”
A different suggestion, but one that still takes Gakpo out: “Yes, start Wirtz out there, let him drift around and let Kerkez have the flank to himself. Gives us an extra body in midfield too.”
Not everyone was jumping on that particular bandwagon though. This user says: “Gakpo is just a scapegoat. You can see it’s a confidence issue.”
Another reckons he should keep his spot, simply due to a lack of better options: “It’s been time for ages but I don’t see a viable alternative. Rio isn’t ready and Chiesa hasn’t looked great from the start of games. Gakpo should start, not because of form-related reasons.”
This fan has had enough of more than Gakpo.. They write: “Quite a few need dropping, that goes for Alisson too.”
What Liverpool need to do about the left wing
We haven’t seen tonnes of Ngumoha this season. The 17-year-old has been used as an impact substitute, and shown flashes of quality — that late winner against Newcastle the most obvious example.
But he still has another leap or two to take before he can be relied upon in a starting capacity. That will come with time.
In the interim, another wide player has to come in, especially with Salah rumoured to leave for Saudi.
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Gakpo gets a hard time. He’s just not the type of winger fans enjoy watching, nor one who can turn a game on its head on his own.
It doesn’t mean he needs to be sold, but Liverpool could do with another option. Then, they can all battle it out.
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