Gakpo axed: I've found Liverpool's perfect front four after watching FA Cup win over Wolves - opinion
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Friday’s FA Cup win over Wolverhampton Wanderers once again showed that Cody Gakpo is not part of Liverpool’s best attack.After a slow start to proceedings, the Reds eventually won 3-1 and will be in the quarter-final draw on Monday evening.Given his lack of squad depth, Arne Slot used the cup competition to rest a few players, but even without his best XI, I saw a glimpse of what will be Liverpool’s best attack moving forward, and it means Gakpo needs to be replaced with Rio Ngumoha permanently. Who was YOUR Man of the Match in Liverpool’s win over Wolves? 😁 Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images Cody Gakpo needs replacing with Rio Ngumoha permanentlyThe 17-year-old earned high praise from Virgil van Dijk in the aftermath of the fixture, and who can blame him?Ngumoha, even in the first half when Liverpool were lacklustre, was creating chances and looked keen to drive at Wolves’ backline to cause problems every time he picked up the ball.Slot will now work with the teenager to ensure he can become a consistently good player in matches every three days, rather than just the odd start here and there.This is great news for fans, who could be treated to what I think is clearly Liverpool’s best attack moving forward.Ngumoha simply has to start on the left wing, with Gakpo continuing to prove he’s not quick enough or creative enough on the flanks.
Discuss: Arne Slot will NOT start Rio Ngumoha against Tottenham… ❌ Credit: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images In the middle, Hugo Ekitike, who was given a rare but probably needed rest on Friday, will return.There are no better options than the 16-goal Frenchman at present, and I can’t wait to see him playing alongside Ngumoha for more than 10-15 minutes at the end of a tie.On the right, Salah has started to find his goal-scoring boots again, and while we probably need to accept the Egyptian is past his prime, nine goals and eight assists in 31 matches this term show he can still be a threat in the right system.Finally, after a brief period out of action, Florian Wirtz was back on the bench against Wolves in the FA Cup.Liverpool lack creativity when the German isn’t starting, but given his already impressive connection with Ekitike, just imagine how good Slot’s attack could look with the 22-year-old, Ngumoha and the former Eintracht Frankfurt man starting together.There hasn’t been a lot for fans to get excited about this season, but the future of their frontline is certainly a big positive.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox