Liverpool could be about to unite a trio that will turn Isak back into an absolute goal machine

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Liverpool’s seven representatives at this summer’s World Cup have so far been doing a good job of making Reds fans forget their struggles of last season.At times, Liverpool players have looked brilliant, completely freed from the shackles of playing in a dysfunctional team under Arne Slot last term.Cody Gakpo is the best example of this, while Alexander Isak has also made some encouraging steps following a dismal debut season at Anfield. With that in mind, top target Yan Diomande looks like a good candidate to get the Swede scoring regularly again.If Isak and Diomande make up two-thirds of Liverpool’s forward line, though, then maybe the third spot should go to Gakpo, who, along with Diomande, has been one of the leading figures at the World Cup in terms of ‘line-breaking’ passes, something Isak will surely thrive on receiving.Diomande, Isak and Gakpo could be a lethal trioAsk Liverpool fans where they stand on the possibility of Gakpo being sold this summer, and most will admit to being keen for the Dutchman to go.However, the World Cup is showing what a useful player Gakpo can still be for Liverpool, and while he has caught the eye with two goals and an assist in the Netherlands’ three matches so far, the 27-year-old’s underlying numbers are equally encouraging.Photo by ANP via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Who are Liverpool’s likely summer signings as Reds fans told they could buy five moreAs per statistics from FIFA.com, Gakpo has attempted the most ‘defensive linebreaks’ in the whole tournament so far.

Trying to break down low blocks has brought some much-needed creativity and risk-taking out of Gakpo.His success rate stands at an impressive 71% too, which is far more than the 38% posted by Switzerland’s Ricardo Rodriguez, who is second on the list of attempted line-breaking passes.Interestingly, Diomande sits fifth on this particular ranking, having tried to find his Ivory Coast teammates 13 times between the lines.The Ivorian’s success rate of 46% is far lower than Gakpo’s, but it gives a little glimpse into how the two could play as wingers on opposite sides for Liverpool. This is not the same player 😭 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Photo Agency/Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto Isak, meanwhile, sits 29th in terms of the amount of times he has shown to receive a ball in behind, i.e. between the lines, and ranks 17th in the whole tournament for the amount of time he has received the ball in behind, seven times, level with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Erling Haaland.With Gakpo and Diomande supplying Isak with the balls in behind from either wing, this is shaping up to be a deadly trio for Liverpool.What about Florian Wirtz?Though it is perhaps a surprise to see Gakpo figuring so highly on such a creative list, the absence of Florian Wirtz is even more of a shock.Wirtz is supposed to be the Liverpool player most adept at finding passes between the lines, but he has been struggling to do that of late for both club and country.Thursday did at least bring a clever assist for Wirtz – his second of the tournament – as he set up Leroy Sane against Ecuador.

7.Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty ImagesPart of his problem at Liverpool has perhaps been that he has not been able to rely on wide players like Gakpo to find him between the lines, for him to then find Isak, or whoever happens to be ahead of him.With Gakpo showing a better side of this in the USA, Canada and Mexico, and Diomande potentially coming in as well, maybe Wirtz can finally start to play with others on his wavelength.Certainly, he is being outshone by that pair currently, with Wirtz having only attempted five line-breakers, the 113th most in the tournament. There should be no worries about him getting back to his usual self when he returns to Liverpool, though, and having other players to share the creative burden and supply the bullets for Isak should ultimately benefit him and the whole of Andoni Iraola’s attack.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox