Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Arne Slot, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak, Premier League, Football
Ben McCrum
Topics: Arne Slot, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak, Premier League, Football
Liverpool fans have called on manager Arne Slot to make a brutal call about his lineup following the 2-1 win in the Merseyside derby.
On Saturday afternoon, reigning Premier League champions Liverpool played one of the most highly-anticipated matches of the season as they welcomed local rivals Everton to Anfield.
As was the case in their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid earlier in the week, the hosts quickly established a two goal lead thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike.
But, Everton didn't allow their rivals to relax as an impressive finish from Idrissa Gueye shortly after half-time, leading to a tense second half.
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However, despite their side holding on to claim what is now their sixth successive win of the season, Liverpool fans are not happy with one star player and have called for Slot to take him out of the starting lineup.
Following the long-awaited debut of club-record signing Alexander Isak midweek, all eyes were on Liverpool's team sheet ahead of kick off as fans were eager to see what attacking options would start the match.
With Isak still working his way back up to full fitness, Slot decided to name his familiar front three of Cody Gakpo, Ekitike and Mohamed Salah.
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But after watching Gakpo's performance against Everton, some Liverpool fans have taken to social media to call on Slot to take the Dutchman out of future lineups in order to facilitate a XI with both Ekitike and Isak in it.
Posting on X, one fan wrote: "We need to find a way off playing both Hugo and Isak. Gakpo not fluid enough in the way we’re playing now."
While another claimed: "Cody Gakpo is clearly the weakest link in this powerful Liverpool. When Isak is in form and seeing Ekitike's level, the Frenchman has to play on the wing with Gakpo on the bench."
And another frustrated fan simply added: "Gakpo…..I’m trying brother. I’m trying so hard."
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Speaking ahead of the match, Slot himself admitted that he has considered taking Gakpo out of the lineup on some occasions in order to allow both of his new star forwards to start.
He said: “I consider [playing both together] because you consider many things.
“If both are in the best form of their life you consider it, but it is also clear we have a 4-3-3 structure and in the end phase we have played with two Number nines.
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“Hugo can play off the left. It's a good thing about our squad, we have multiple options, and if some aren't fit, we can use them in a 4-4-2, that depends on form and fitness.”