Cody Gakpo looks likely to return to Liverpool’s starting XI for Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
The Dutchman has become something of a pariah among Reds supporters this season after turning in months’ worth of disappointing performances.
There was some reprieve on Tuesday, as Gakpo started Tuesday’s defeat against Galatasaray from the bench. But with rotation needed for Sunday, the much-maligned No. 18 appears in-line for a comeback.
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Gakpo set to start on the left wing
Interestingly, there have been rumblings since Tuesday’s defeat that Liverpool will aim to sign at least one new winger during the summer transfer window.
There is a strong argument that the Reds actually need two, with Mohamed Salah joining Gakpo in the woefully under par stakes this season.
For the time being, however, Slot is being forced to persist with his underperforming wide men.
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On Tuesday, Florian Wirtz nominally started on the left for Liverpool. But with the German short of fitness after a spell on the sidelines, he may be saved for Wednesday’s return leg with Galatasaray.
With question marks also continuing over Salah as well as Hugo Ekitike, there may be changes in the forward line, meaning Gakpo is almost certain to be on the teamsheet again.
Fans have been desperate to see the 26-year-old dropped for Rio Ngumoha on the left of the attack, but short of Slot pulling a major shock in his starting XI, Gakpo will go again.
Is there any hope that Ngumoha could play?
As he has been so often in recent weeks, Slot was asked about Ngumoha during his pre-Tottenham press conference on Friday.
“Rio is a player who could start for us,” he said. “He’s been coming in for longer spells. He’s definitely an option to start one of the three games in the coming week.”
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Some supporters will no doubt have been encouraged by his answer, deducing that the 17-year-old may be in line to start against Spurs. He is certainly unlikely to play against Galatasaray, and with Sunday’s visitors in such poor form, it may be a good chance for Ngumoha to get a first Premier League start.
However, while that is possible, we do not see it being in place of Gakpo. That could mean Ngumoha shifting to the left, perhaps, but the former PSV Eindhoven captain will surely take his place in his favoured left-hand spot.
Spurs have been a decent opponent for Gakpo since he joined Liverpool, and it is worth noting that a goal on Sunday would bring up 50 for the Reds. No mean feat.