FSG must sell Liverpool star who ‘moves like a rhino’

On Tuesday evening in the Champions League, Liverpool were beaten for the third time in 13 months by Paris Saint-Germain. It was Arne Slot’s 17th defeat on the side in all competitions, and the guarantee that they will leave without silverware in this term.

Given Hugo Ekitike’s ankle injury in the first half – the French striker went down from the ball in pain, with Slot later saying he feared the blow was “really bad”.

It is typical of Liverpool’s campaign that this should happen, the 23-year-old has been in good form all year. He scored 17 goals for his new club after joining Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m last summer.

But now, Liverpool don’t have a talisman, and that only means that their struggling counterparts need to find some kind. In particular, Alexis Mac Allister was poor among starters.

Alexis Mac Allister skates on thin ice in Liverpool

For two years, Mac Allister has been great at Liverpool, but that player has not been available in all the Merseysiders’ games this season. He was one of those who bore the brunt.

In Ousmane Dembele’s first, killing the tie, the 27-year-old did not seal the Ballon d’Or award, one example of his uncertainty and laziness this season.

The Argentine’s decline is almost inexplicable. Although the slot man’s management and intellectual ability have left much to be desired this year, the manager cannot be blamed for the disappearing act made by Mac Allister in the Liverpool centre.

In addition, Mac Allister strives not only for the body, but also for creativity and influence in the middle of the field.

Something will need to change this summer, and if it’s decided that a change is for the best, he’ll probably be sold, along with another top star who was also terrible in the Champions League.

Liverpool’s top striker needs to be sold

After the defeat to PSG, Slot admitted that Liverpool may need to sell a few players if they are to successfully strengthen in various positions this summer.

So, last summer is repeating itself, but in Cody Gakpo’s case, it might be for the best. The Dutchman has been in poor form all season, one-sided and slow. He was not given a start against the Parisians at Anfield, and although he was called on in the second half, he did not make much of an impact.

After Liverpool’s win over Fulham last weekend, pundit Raj Chohan said he was “moving like a rhino on the wing”, and that argument was confirmed by another poor display here.

Where are the winners of the Liverpool match? Where are the show stoppers and vericks? Gakpo is not one of them, and although he works hard and sometimes scores, he doesn’t do enough.

In fairness, Gakpo looked brilliant when he replaced Alexander Isak at half-time, but the mood quickly faded and he reverted to frustrating form, making questionable decisions and slowing down Liverpool’s attack.

Gakpo did not start the game. He didn’t need to. This was another example of the Dutchman’s unfortunate luck in the second season of the Slot, far from the striker who scored 18 points and provided seven assists, clicking on the wide offensive craft like bespoke joinery.

That player is not even seen this season, and it is safe to say that he would not have been included at the break if Ekitike had been injured. If that had happened, the fans would have cried for Rio Ngumoha to be included, who made a spectacle when he was called from the bench.

Ngumoha, 17, plays with an X-factor and strength in football that is almost ambassadorial. Despite his lack of experience and age, he has been one of Liverpool’s most influential strikers over the past few months.

He needs more opportunities next term, but his playing time must also be controlled, and since Gakpo has done nothing to show that he deserves a star role again next season, perhaps FSG should sell the Netherlands star and sign a strong replacement.

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