Liverpool fans have expressed their opinions on Arne Slot’s decision to start Cody Gakpo in their upcoming Premier League match against Arsenal. The highly anticipated game is scheduled to take place at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday, January 8.
Slot has made a single change to his starting lineup from the previous game against Fulham, with Jeremie Frimpong returning to the team in place of Curtis Jones. Alisson Becker continues to guard the goal, while Milos Kerkez, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Conor Bradley form the defensive line.
In the midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch will operate as double pivots, with Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Frimpong supporting the attack. With Aleksander Isak and Hugo Ekitike unavailable, Gakpo has been tasked with leading the forward line in Slot’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
Gakpo, who has been a regular starter for Liverpool this season, has scored six goals in 24 appearances across all competitions, which some fans feel is not a satisfactory output. Despite finding the net in the previous game against Fulham, the decision to start him against Arsenal has sparked mixed reactions among the Liverpool faithful.
One fan expressed frustration by writing, “They deduct his salary if Gakpo doesn’t start,” while another tweeted, “I hate Gakpo get him gone I rather Chiesa starting.” Another fan questioned Slot’s decision, saying, “WHAT DOES GAKPO HAVE ON SLOT? I CAN’T DO THIS ANYMORE.” Additionally, one fan urged for a change in management, stating, “Hope we get battered so Slot gets sacked. Gakpo up front is sickening.”
In a recent interview, Gakpo emphasized the significance of the upcoming clash with Arsenal, labeling it as a “very big game” for Liverpool. Despite Arsenal’s strong position at the top of the table and their unbeaten home record, Gakpo remains optimistic about Liverpool’s chances, especially after their victory in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
Looking ahead to the game, Gakpo stated, “[It’s] a very big game. I think the game itself is very big but regarding our situation as well it’s a big game for us to show what we can do. We try to do that the whole season and sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. But I think [with] the situation we are in it really has to work in this game. In some [different] ways it’s a big game.”
As Liverpool currently sits in fourth place, trailing Arsenal by 12 points, the outcome of this crucial match could have significant implications for their season. With tensions running high among fans, all eyes will be on Gakpo and the rest of the team as they aim to secure a vital victory at the Emirates Stadium.
