Again and again this season, liverpool They find their worst enemy staring back at them in the mirror.

The painful defeats are already piling up, but the performance is even more painful. Liverpool collapsed in the final moments against Manchester City last weekend. It’s not the first time they’ve struggled in the closing stages and it’s not the first time Anfield has tasted defeat this season – in fact, it’s the fifth defeat of the season.

Tactically, Arne Slaughter There has been a lot of adversity this season. Considering that the Dutch sailed smoothly to Premier League Last year’s champion. But Liverpool are now reactive rather than proactive, lacking physical fitness and mobility.

How many celebrities have flattered and cheated, but Cody Agathe has been one of the more pointedly criticized in an effort to impress the left.

Cody Gakpo’s struggles at Liverpool

With seven goals and four assists in 32 games (26 starts), Gakpo hasn’t been disastrous in front of goal, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.

The 26-year-old played a vital role in last season’s title win. He has scored 18 goals and provided 7 assists in all competitions. But Gakpo has been cast aside this season, too predictable when it comes to finding space in the paint.

Interestingly, the data doesn’t show a sharp decline, but it’s still there. He remains a dangerous direct winger with a variety of creative tools, but they are not used effectively.

For example, the volume of his shots has increased, but he’s hitting the target less often. He also conceded the ball more often while creating fewer good chances for midfielders.

Liverpool’s attacking options remain the same as they will for the rest of the season. Leo Ngumoha was part of the senior team but was not trusted as a regular starter.

Gakpo is skilled and efficient in one-on-one situations, but he’s not in the form to warrant a starting spot every week.

With that in mind, Sloter might want to come up with a left-field solution to his left side problem with someone right in front of him.

How Slot replaces Gakpo

Unless Ngumoha starts getting more playing time, Sloter will continue to have Gakpo as his starting option on the left wing.

However, Hugo EkiticHis name has been considered throughout the campaign, particularly in assessing the Frenchman’s relationship with Alexander Isaac At the front end of Liverpool’s attacking system.

There were surprises when Liverpool splashed out £79m for Eintracht Frankfurt’s rising striker and then signed Isak for a British record fee, but the 23-year-old has won plaudits not only across Liverpool but across Europe in a season that has been mesmerizing at times.

However, Liverpool need Isaac back. For all his quality, Ekitic has only scored once against a team currently in the top half of the Premier League (against Everton in September), and with that in mind, perhaps a two-pronged attacking partnership that leaves Gakpo on the bench might be worth it.

Even so, his talismanic aura in the center position is still admired, with Mohamed Salah even calling him “Similar to Origi“About his knack for popping up in big moments.

However, Origi doesn’t possess the same talent, which could allow Ekitic to develop into a completely different player, versatile and deadly in the final third while also developing into one of the best players in the world.

Origi is a Liverpool idol and he also enjoys scoring against his Merseyside neighbors, but Ekitic could become more important, especially if he succeeds as a left-sided forward.

Analyst Raj Chohan recently praised Ektiike as “The most complete forward in the sport”, whose speed and link-up ability allow him to operate on the left, dynamically linking up with Kerkoz (his partnership with Gakpo is no longer present this season), while assisting Isak and getting into goal space himself.

It’s obvious that Ekitic shouldn’t be permanently placed on the wing as he’s so talented as a number nine, but with Isaac returning from injury in the business months of the season, here’s the blueprint for what we might see.

After all, Slott has already hinted at this, and with Ekitic ranking in the top 5% of Premier League forwards for pass attempts and the top 85 for expected assists, it’s clear he has the athleticism and creativity to make things work.

Imagine how those metrics translate into a fully healthy Isaac.

This is bound to happen before the end of the season and it could save Liverpool’s season.

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