Liverpool has the pleasant fragrance of victory in their nostrils, having completed the first chapter of the 2024/25 season with a perfect Premier League record under new manager Arne Slot, the most recent of which was a 3-0 triumph over arch-rivals Manchester United
Yes, Slot inherited a first-class group from Jurgen Klopp, but the smooth transition to a more controlled and cultured style of game has been impressive. Liverpool 2.0 is truly here, and the world is taking notice.
There was plenty of hoopla around the Anfield side’s lack of transfer activity this summer, only buying Federico Chiesa from Juventus for an initial £10 million cost to complete a frightening frontline, but Liverpool appear like a real unit, with first-class quality of many types
There are six proven choices for the three attacking positions in the starting lineup, but Slot has yet to make any adjustments. Diogo Jota has a goal and an assist in the three victories, but he was not at his best at Old Trafford and could be the first to lose his place.
Diogo Jota’s performance vs Manchester United
Jota is one of Liverpool’s finest goal scorers and most consistent ball strikers, but he is not untouchable, and his performance at the Theatre of Dreams demonstrated the club’s depth and capacity to rotate such a talent.
As you can see above, the Portuguese did not have the most efficient evening, failing all five dribbling attempts and losing all ten ground duels. Furthermore, the “deadly” forward, as defined by pundit Raj Chohan, had fewer touches than his goalkeeper, Alisson, who had 42.
Ian Doyle of The Liverpool Echo gave the 27-year-old a 7/10 match grade, acknowledging that he ‘did a lot of running and chasing down to little personal benefit, although essential for the club.’
Statistics can paint a bleak picture of a football game, and Jota was an engine of sorts, causing all sorts of problems and keeping the hosts guessing, allowing Ryan Gravenberch to thrust forward into space and the likes of Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz to wreak havoc down the wings.
However, even if he is fit, the Portugal international should not start at number nine in all 38 Premier League games. Cody Gakpo, for example, is desperate to have his first chance under Slot’s leadership.
Why Cody Gakpo should start
Of course, if Jota could have his way, he would start every week, since any footballer worth his salt wants a prominent position.
But it’s not up to him, and a dismal injury record in almost every season as a Redman will limit his workload. Slot also shown a vicious streak on his debut against Ipswich Town, hooking Jarell Quansah at half-time; with Champions League and Carabao Cup responsibilities looming, it’s time for some rotation.
Gakpo, Slot’s Dutch countryman, returned to Merseyside after impressing at Euro 2024, scoring three goals and assisting once in five games, and was regarded as “maybe the most important player” for Oranje by his manager, Ronald Koeman. Let us not forget that this is a team that includes Virgil van Dijk’s steel and security.
Gakpo, praised for his “special skill set” by Klopp’s previous assistant manager Pep Lijnders, will be desperate to gain a meaningful role this season, having been limited to three cameos totaling 53 minutes in the campaign’s first three games.
Gakpo, a sharpshooter and dynamic figure, was purportedly signed in January 2023 to replace Roberto Firmino, who would end his legendary Liverpool career that summer.
According to FBref, the Netherlands star ranks among the top 6% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 10% for passes attempted, the top 7% for progressive passes, and the top 11% for successful take-ons per 90, indicating that his skill set aligns – to some extent – with that of the silky-smooth Brazilian.
From a more straightforward perspective, Gakpo has demonstrated a promising degree of prolificity in his first two seasons with the club, scoring 23 goals and assisting nine times in just 43 starts.
However, Gakpo isn’t the only one looking for their first start. Indeed, the unpredictable Darwin Nunez has only made two brief outings, totaling just over half an hour of play.
Why Darwin Nunez should start
Liverpool bought Nunez from SL Benfica in 2022 for an initial sum of £64 million, which may increase to a club record £85 million. Football fans in general disagree on the Uruguayan’s quality, but Liverpool fans adore their fanatical talisman.
Despite only starting 33 games last season, he scored 18 goals and assisted 13 others in all competitions. Nunez definitely possesses an abundance of quality, and he may be ideal for Slot.
Consider Jota’s position at Old Trafford, for example. The marksman was clearly tasked with working hard to annoy the hosts and keep them on their toes, allowing his teammates to overlap and exploit wide areas, so creating an overload and wrenching openings in dangerous positions, as demonstrated by Diaz’s opening goal.
Nunez is capable of filling that function. He’s quick-footed and tireless, with an electrifying energy that may be ideal. Furthermore, journalist Theo Squires has praised him as a “agent of chaos” due to his ability to cause havoc.
Consider Jota’s position at Old Trafford, for example. The marksman was clearly tasked with working hard to annoy the hosts and keep them on their toes, allowing his teammates to overlap and exploit wide areas, so creating an overload and wrenching openings in dangerous positions, as demonstrated by Diaz’s opening goal.
Nunez is capable of filling that function. He’s quick-footed and tireless, with an electrifying energy that may be ideal. Furthermore, journalist Theo Squires has praised him as a “agent of chaos” due to his ability to cause havoc.
As you can see above, Nunez did not make any substantial improvements in the Premier League last season, despite his great overall record. Now, at 25, he is unquestionably ready to take the division by storm, potentially with the extent of his skill set expanded by a managerial change.
As a result, Liverpool should rest Jota for their forthcoming match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The Portuguese is a fantastic player, but he’s not the only sharp tool in Slot’s arsenal; Nunez and Gakpo are both eager to make their mark at this thrilling start to the new era.
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