Liverpool, the Merseyside club, is facing a challenging season with four consecutive losses. The team's performance has been dishevelled and out of sorts, leading to a potential catastrophic title defence. Amidst this turmoil, Liverpool legend and football pundit Jamie Carragher has suggested some tactical changes for Reds boss Arne Slot.
Liverpool is struggling to integrate their three big-money signings - Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Florian Wirtz - into the XI alongside their existing players. This integration issue seems to be one of the main reasons behind their lacklustre performance this season.
On Monday Night Football, Carragher proposed a solution that involves dropping Cody Gakpo to play Wirtz on the left. He also suggested positioning Ekitike in the no. 10 position behind Isak in a 4-2-3-1 set-up. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch would anchor the midfield while Dominick Szoboszlai would drop to the bench. However, these suggestions have raised eyebrows among sports fans and experts alike due to several reasons:
Dropping Cody Gakpo
Carragher’s idea of dropping Cody Gakpo seems more like blind tinkering than tactical wisdom. Despite Liverpool’s poor run this season, Gakpo has been one of their few bright sparks scoring against Manchester United and twice rattling the post in another narrow defeat.
Cody Gakpo, the 26-year-old forward, has been a beacon of hope in Liverpool's struggling season. He has started all but one Premier League game this season and his sharpness and confidence on the field have been instrumental in carrying Liverpool’s attack forward. While other players like Mohamed Salah are misfiring, Gakpo continues to deliver consistently. Therefore, suggestions of benching him for an off-form Isak or a struggling Wirtz seem absurd. His performance is not just commendable but also crucial for the team at this juncture.
Carragher’s proposed two-person midfield of Mac Allister and Gravenberch could leave Liverpool frighteningly open. They already look easy to play through with three midfielders, cutting one out would be suicidal. Slot’s side needs more structure, not less.
Balance and defensive vulnerability
While Carragher's suggestions may be well-intentioned, they seem to reflect a knee-jerk reaction rather than a well-thought-out strategy. Such reactions can lead to managerial sackings if implemented without careful consideration.
The real issue plaguing Liverpool isn't Gakpo's inclusion but the team's overall balance and defensive vulnerability. If anything, Gakpo should be one of the first names on the team sheet given his current form.
Liverpool needs to fix their system rather than scapegoat the one player still performing consistently. It is essential for them to focus on strengthening their defence and improving their overall game strategy instead of making hasty changes that could potentially worsen their situation.
