Liverpool are facing the prospect of being without a recognised striker once again as they prepare for another big game in the Premier League top five race.
The Reds take on out-of-form Chelsea on Saturday afternoon, and will do so with added pressure following Sunday’s narrow defeat against Manchester United.
Arne Slot will be grateful for the six-day break between matches, but it seems that the fixture may still come too soon for star striker Alexander Isak.
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Isak frustratingly missed the trip to United after picking up a groin injury, and although he had been expected back imminently, the Swede was not seen in Wednesday’s session at the Liverpool training ground.
With Hugo Ekitike out for the foreseeable future, Slot will have to come up with a different plan for his central striker against Chelsea. And after seeing it work so well at Old Trafford, he would be making a mistake if he does not stick with Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo must play up front against Chelsea
Slot did not initially go with Gakpo to lead the line against United, and he ultimately paid the price for that.
Deploying Florian Wirtz in a false nine role did not work at all. The German could not influence the game, and it played a part in Liverpool finding themselves 2-0 down at halftime.
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Liverpool were much better after the break at Old Trafford, with Slot’s decision to shift Gakpo from a left to a central role giving Michael Carrick’s team something to think about.
The Dutchman occupied the United back line in a way Wirtz couldn’t even come close to, and, though it was a tap-in, deserved his goal when it arrived. The hope, of course, will be that Isak is ready, but if he isn’t, the second 45 in Salford should give Slot the blueprint for a way home without him.
Gakpo can thrive as Liverpool’s versatile forward
If Liverpool do switch formations next season and go with a 4-2-2-2, they could well be looking for a new striker in this summer’s transfer market.
At the very least they are on the hunt for another winger, which is almost certain to restrict Gakpo’s role in the team.
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While many supporters would like to see the 27-year-old sold, this should actually benefit him. He did brilliantly while rotating with Luis Diaz in 2024/25, and with the pressure of being a constant starter removed, he can become a valued squad player once again.
That can come on the left, but it should also come through the middle as well. The United performance showed that Jurgen Klopp was right about Gakpo – he can play as a centre-forward – and that can really benefit Liverpool next season.
Part of the trouble with Gakpo has been that he is incredibly one-dimensional when playing on the left wing. But if he takes up central areas, he has no choice but to vary his game from constantly cutting inside.
It is not ideal, but it is clear that if Isak is missing when the Blues come to Anfield on Saturday, Gakpo through the middle is the only plan Slot must entertain.
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