Arne Slot has enjoyed an incredible first year as Liverpool manager, with development to key players a main reason behind the Dutchman’s success.

Gary Neville recently noted that the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo have greatly improved under Slot, with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah enjoying their best years yet for the Reds.

Yet in recent weeks, there has been a significant drop-off in form, with Liverpool only just beating Leicester City this weekend thanks to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s wonderful finish to put the Anfield side one win away from the Premier League title.

With Gakpo starting out on the left and once again coming off without making much of an impact, Slot could now be quietly worried about the Dutch international given what’s likely to happen this summer in the attacking department.

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Rumours are beginning to build that Luis Diaz could leave Liverpool this summer, with FC Barcelona and clubs from Saudi Arabia interested in signing the Colombian international, who has just one year remaining on his current deal.

Should the former FC Porto man exit Anfield during the transfer window, the pressure will be on for Gakpo to deliver as Liverpool’s new left-sided attacker, with the £45m signing from PSV Eindhoven the obvious contender for the position.

Indeed, there is a real chance that Liverpool could sign a replacement for Diaz should the South American leave the Reds this summer, with Slot’s side expected to invest in the attacking position regardless of who stays or goes in the window.

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Yet for Gakpo, Diaz’s potential departure coupled with the winger’s poor form in recent weeks could give Slot a reason to be worried about next season, where the Dutch manager might want another option in his forward ranks for the new campaign.

With five Premier League games remaining and one win needed to clinch the title, it’s safe to say that the pressure is firmly off Liverpool between now and the end of the season with the championship expected to be won this Sunday against Tottenham.

And for Gakpo, the Dutch international will want to end the season on a high by showing Liverpool fans and Slot how good he can really be, with the winger due a run of good form having struggled with fitness in recent weeks.

Indeed, Gakpo has still enjoyed his best year yet with Liverpool under Slot, and a strong end to the season could be all that’s needed for the Anfield manager to see that he already has his Diaz replacement at the club, who will be ready for the new campaign this summer.


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