Liverpool look like they've now found their ideal back-up striker to Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike - opinion

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Liverpool supporters are looking forward to seeing more of Rio Ngumoha after another watershed moment during Saturday’s win over Fulham, but they may be left disappointed next season.Recent reports have claimed that after signing Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike last summer, Liverpool are planning to utilise a 4-2-2-2 system in 2026/27.While that is potentially bad news for someone like Ngumoha, it could perhaps work in favour of Cody Gakpo, who demonstrated his capabilities as a centre-forward against the Cottagers. Are Liverpool in danger of blocking Rio’s pathway with a new signing this summer?

Photo Credit: Getty Images/Andy Buchanan/AFP Gakpo can be a centre-forward option for LiverpoolSince Arne Slot arrived at Liverpool in 2024, he has made it abundantly clear that he sees Gakpo as a left winger.However, Jurgen Klopp had a very different idea about where the Dutchman should play, regularly deploying him as a central striker during their 18 months working together.Although Gakpo was somewhat hit and miss through the middle, he was arguably much more consistent than he has been while playing wide.News that Liverpool are likely to sign a new winger this summer is likely to impact Gakpo’s status as a regular starter, but if Slot is planning to switch to a more narrow formation, he could yet have a reprieve.Photo by Kate McShane/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Arne Slot has quietly made a brilliant Hugo Ekitike decision which should concern PSGFulham showcases what Gakpo can offerIf 4-2-2-2 is Liverpool’s regular formation next season, then they will definitely need some more suitable back-up to Isak and Ekitike.The former’s injury history is well-known and concerning, while the latter has looked unable to manage a big workload this season as well.Regardless of whether they both stay fit, Isak and Ekitike cannot play every game, and though he has become an easy scapegoat for fans this season, Gakpo showed on Saturday that he has the intelligence, pressing capability and relationship with Florian Wirtz to be an effective plan B.His finishing is still an issue, as seen by a glorious headed chance he passed up early in the second-half. Who was Liverpool’s best player during the much-needed win over Fulham?

We think we might know the winner 😁 Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images Where does this leave Ngumoha?After his stunning strike on Saturday, many Liverpool supporters will now believe that Ngumoha should be ahead of Gakpo in the left wing stakes. Plenty felt that even before the youngster curled past Bernd Leno to register his second goal of the season.Next season, that arguably should be the case, with Slot likely to use different formations in different games, with some occasions calling for more threat from wide.Instead of sticking Gakpo in, Slot should use Ngumoha – or a potential new signing – and keep Gakpo either central or, more favourably, as an option from the bench.Ultimately, until we know the players coming in – and going out – at Anfield this summer, it is hard to predict exactly what Liverpool’s attacking plan is for a post-Mohamed Salah world.