Slot faces calls to drop Gakpo for Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is facing increasing pressure to drop Cody Gakpo for teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha following the Dutchman’s struggles during a dismal title defence.
The clamour to integrate the academy prospect grew significantly louder following a scrappy victory over Nottingham Forest.
Ngumoha produced a vibrant cameo off the bench against a side currently fighting a relegation battle.
His impact at the City Ground stood in stark contrast to the sluggish performance of the starting forward line.
Carragher leads calls for change
Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher was particularly vocal regarding the 17-year-old’s immediate influence compared to established senior stars.
Carragher highlighted how the youngster offered more attacking threat in a quarter of an hour than others had managed throughout the contest.
“Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and Gakpo did in the entire game before that.”
Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports
While Mohamed Salah has earned plenty of credit in the bank, patience appears to be wearing thin regarding his attacking partner on the opposite flank.
Slot stands by Dutch compatriot
Gakpo has become the primary focus of fan frustration during what has been a difficult campaign for the Merseyside club.
The Netherlands international has struggled to impact games consistently on a left flank that has malfunctioned for much of the season.
Despite the criticism, Slot has refused to budge on his selection policy regarding his compatriot.
The former PSV Eindhoven captain has started 29 of 35 matches across all competitions under the current management.
He currently boasts the most minutes of any forward in the squad, a statistic that has baffled a growing section of the fanbase.
Tactical concerns and predictable play
Criticism has focused heavily on the winger’s perceived one-dimensional approach in the final third.
Opposing full-backs have seemingly studied his tendency to cut inside onto his right foot, rendering his play predictable.
While match-going supporters have largely refrained from toxicity, the tactical stagnation is becoming difficult to ignore.
With Liverpool’s title defence effectively over, the argument to blood the next generation is gaining momentum.
Ngumoha represents a pathway to the future that many supporters feel is being blocked by an underperforming senior professional.