Liverpool have been sensational this season, taking command within the combat for the Premier League title. We’ve not even reached the marketing campaign’s midpoint but, however Arne Slot’s facet are six factors clear on the summit with a sport in hand.
When Jurgen Klopp shocked the world along with his choice to face down on the finish of the 2023/24 time period, it felt like a watershed second for the membership – and one that might have interfered with the progress that had been made in rebuilding a sapped midfield.
However FSG hit the bullseye with Slot, whose soccer has been thrilling, elegant and environment friendly. Prime of the Champions League group stage too, Liverpool might be assured that they’ll elevate one of many largest prizes earlier than the summer season.
Whereas the Dutch coach’s ways have helped shore up Anfield’s defences, the rip-roaring assault has additionally been refined. Mohamed Salah is in fact the creme de la creme, however the Reds have power in depth and this may very well be the important thing to hitting their lofty targets.
Liverpool’s frontline in 24/25
Salah has posted 19 targets and 15 assists throughout 25 matches in all competitions for Liverpool this season, shifting with a vengeance towards the most important titles and, maybe, the 2025 Ballon d’Or prize.
He is head and shoulders above each positional rival on English shores proper now, however that is to not say that Liverpool’s numerous different members have not pulled their weight.
Diogo Jota has been injured for a lot of the marketing campaign however has nonetheless showcased a powerful medical edge when known as upon. Darwin Nunez, conversely, has struggled for type and fluency in entrance of purpose however nonetheless options commonly, bringing chaos and vitality to Slot’s system.
Salah is likely to be the talisman, however he is bolstered significantly by left-flanking duo Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo, who’ve ebbed and flowed in distinction this time period as they compete for a beginning berth. It is bringing one of the best out of each, with the latter the one in type proper now.
Cody Gakpo’s rise beneath Arne Slot
We’re approaching Gakpo’s second anniversary on Merseyside, with the Dutch ahead leaving PSV Eindhoven to signal for Liverpool for a £35m price in January 2023.
It was a turbulent time, Klopp’s pre-overhaul engine room spluttering and stumbling by a marketing campaign that severed Anfield’s reference to the Champions League – for a season, not less than.
Beneath Slot, Gakpo’s position has been simplified. Gone are the times of his scattered positioning throughout the pitch, Klopp utilizing his dynamism to patch over holes.
Cody Gakpo – Stats by Place (23/24) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Place | Apps | Targets | Assists |
Centre-forward | 27 | 12 | 3 |
Left winger | 12 | 3 | 3 |
Proper winger | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Attacking midfield | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Central midfield | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Stats by way of Transfermarkt | |||
He is at all times been at his finest on the left flank, utilizing his tempo and energy to actual mayhem earlier than skipping inside and unleashing a fierce strike into the nook of the purpose. Now, Diaz is most well-liked at centre-forward when each stars cohabit on the pitch, Gakpo ranging from the left throughout all 15 of his appearances from the outset this 12 months.
Now, he is thriving. Gakpo has reached “one other stage” this 12 months, in accordance with pundit Peter Crouch, certainly notching ten strikes and 4 assists throughout the marketing campaign as he makes spectacular progress in a nailed-down tactical position.
It is an ideal instance of Slot’s tactical acumen and his understanding of Liverpool’s structural strengths, tips on how to eke out each final little bit of high quality from the Reds.
As per FBref, Gakpo ranks among the many prime 13% of Premier League attacking midfielders and wingers this season for targets scored and the highest 1% for profitable take-on success charge per 90, highlighting his flourishing presence in Slot’s high-flying workforce.
A profitable take-on is recorded when a participant beats their opponent by straight carrying the ball previous them whereas retaining possession.
Maybe essentially the most thrilling half is that Gakpo, aged 25, nonetheless has a lot to supply for the Anfield facet, nonetheless has a lot to realize. In any case, his prolificness within the closing third is propelling Liverpool towards the Premier League title, which remains to be removed from being conquered however extra tangible with every mounting victory.
4 targets and two assists throughout simply three Carabao Cup video games solely furthers the declare that he’s shaping into one among Liverpool’s most vital members, thriving on the cup entrance when Diaz held a Premier League beginning position invariably throughout the opening months.
Due to gamers like him, Liverpool stand a great likelihood of claiming a couple of slice of silverware this season.
As a product of his rise and rise, the Netherlands worldwide’s inventory has burgeoned, and he is beginning to overtake a few of Liverpool’s prized property in regard to market worth.
Cody Gakpo’s market worth in 2024/25
If Gakpo continues to journey his wealthy vein of present type, there’s each likelihood that he’ll hit the 20-goal ballpark by the shut of the marketing campaign.
His reference to Salah solely bolsters such a pursuit, with the Egyptian really overtaken by way of market worth by Gakpo, whose value has shot to £51m following Transfermarkt’s newest replace.
Salah, conversely, has seen his personal worth drop to £46m, although context is vital right here, for the Egypt sensation is 32 years previous and coming into the ultimate months of his Liverpool contract.
In any case, it is a testomony to the positive aspects that Gakpo, hailed because the “king of scoring” by author Andre Beesley – has revamped the previous few years after enduring some rocky moments over the opening years of his English profession.
Liverpool have an elite strikeforce alright. Salah would possibly take the limelight (and rightly so) however Gakpo will not care a jot as he continues to construct the blocks towards prosperity. Liverpool, in any case, have hit the jackpot on this outstanding ahead.
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