0/5 Dribbles, 0/10 Ground Duels Won: Slot Must Boldly Drop Liverpool Star and Start “Agent of Çhãøs” vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool are savoring the sweet smell of victory as they conclude the first chapter of the 2024/25 Premier League season with a flawless record under their new manager, Arne Slot. Their latest triumph, a commanding 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Manchester United, has further cemented their dominance.
While it’s true that Slot inherited a top-tier squad from Jurgen Klopp, the team’s seamless transition to a more controlled and cultured style of football has been nothing short of remarkable. Liverpool 2.0 has arrived, and the football world is starting to take notice.
Despite the buzz around Liverpool’s relatively quiet transfer window this summer—with only Federico Chiesa joining from Juventus for an initial £10 million fee—the team has shown they are a formidable unit. The squad boasts top-quality players across the pitch, each bringing something unique to the table.
There are six established players vying for the three attacking positions in the starting lineup. However, Slot has yet to make any changes. Diogo Jota, who has contributed a goal and an assist across the three victories, wasn’t at his best at Old Trafford and might be the first to lose his spot in the lineup.
Diogo Jota’s Performance Against Man United
Jota is among Liverpool’s top scorers and one of their most dependable finishers, but he’s not irreplaceable. His performance at the Theatre of Dreams highlighted the team’s depth and the flexibility to rotate even a player of his caliber.
Diogo Jota Game in Numbers
| Minutes | 76 |
| Touches | 26 |
| Pass Accuracy % | 64 |
| Shots | 1 |
| Dribbles | 0/5 |
As demonstrated in the statistics, it wasn’t the most effective night for the Portuguese player, who struggled with all five of his attempted dribbles and lost all ten of his ground duels. Additionally, the forward, described by analyst Raj Chohan as “deadly,” had fewer touches than his goalkeeper, Alisson, who made 42 touches.
Despite these challenges, the 27-year-old received a 7/10 match rating from The Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle. Doyle noted that while the player did a significant amount of running and pressing, it yielded little personal gain, though it was crucial for the team’s performance.
In the world of football, statistics often fail to capture the full picture. Jota was indeed a dynamic presence, creating numerous challenges for the opposition and keeping them on their toes. His efforts opened up space for Ryan Gravenberch to push forward and allowed players like Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz to cause havoc on the flanks.
However, it may not be ideal for the Portuguese international to start as the number 9 in all 38 Premier League matches, even if he stays in top physical condition. Cody Gakpo, for instance, is eager to make his mark and earn his first opportunity under Slot’s management.
Why Arne Slot Should Start Cody Gakpo
Naturally, Jota would prefer to start every week, as any determined footballer aspires to lead the team and outshine their peers.
However, the decision isn’t his to make. His history of frequent injuries throughout nearly every season as a Redman means that his playing time will need to be carefully managed. Slot, on his debut against Ipswich Town, showed his decisive nature by substituting Jarell Quansah at halftime. With the demands of the Champions League and Carabao Cup on the horizon, some rotation in the squad is necessary.
Gakpo, a fellow Dutchman like Slot, returned to Merseyside after showcasing impressive form at Euro 2024. During the tournament, he scored three goals and provided an assist in five matches. His manager, Ronald Koeman, even described him as “maybe the most important player” for the Netherlands. It’s worth noting that this praise comes despite the presence of Virgil van Dijk, a symbol of stability and strength for the team.
Pep Lijnders, Klopp’s former assistant manager, praised Gakpo for his “special skill set.” Eager to secure a significant role this season, Gakpo has only managed to participate in three brief appearances, totaling 53 minutes, in the early stages of the campaign.
Gakpo, known for his sharp shooting and dynamic play, was initially signed in January 2023 to fill the void left by Roberto Firmino, who ended his legendary Liverpool tenure that summer.
According to FBref, the Dutch star ranks among the top 6% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions. He is also in the top 10% for passes attempted, the top 7% for progressive passes, and the top 11% for successful take-ons per 90 minutes. These statistics highlight how his skillset somewhat mirrors that of the silky Brazilian.
Looking at it more simply, Gakpo has shown a promising level of productivity in his early seasons with the club, netting 23 goals and providing nine assists in just 43 starts.
However, Gakpo isn’t the only player vying for his first start of the season. The talented Darwin Nunez has also seen limited action, with just two brief appearances totaling just over half an hour of playtime.
Why Darwin Nunez Should Also Start
Liverpool secured the signing of Darwin Nunez from SL Benfica in 2022 for an initial fee of £64 million, which could potentially increase to a club-record £85 million. While football fans are generally divided on the Uruguayan forward’s abilities, Liverpool supporters have developed a strong admiration for their energetic and unpredictable talisman.
In the previous season, Nunez managed to score 18 goals and provided 13 assists across all competitions, despite starting only 33 matches. His talent is evident, and he could be an ideal fit for Slot’s tactical approach.
For instance, consider Diogo Jota’s role at Old Trafford. Jota was clearly assigned the task of working tirelessly to disrupt the opposition and keep them on edge, allowing his teammates to exploit wide areas and create scoring opportunities. This strategy was perfectly illustrated by Luis Diaz’s opening goal.
Nunez has the capability to fulfill a similar role. His quickness and relentless energy make him well-suited for such responsibilities. Additionally, journalist Theo Squires has described him as an “agent of chaos,” highlighting his ability to create havoc on the field.
| Darwin Nunez: PL Stats Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stat (*per game) | 22/23 | 23/24 |
| Matches played | 29 (19) | 36 (22) |
| Goals | 9 | 11 |
| Assists | 3 | 8 |
| Big chances missed | 20 | 27 |
| Pass completion | 67% | 72% |
| Big chances created | 11 | 11 |
| Key passes* | 1.0 | 0.9 |
| Dribbles* | 0.6 (49%) | 0.4 (43%) |
| Duels won* | 2.8 (38%) | 2.4 (38%) |
| Stats Source: Sofascore | ||
Nunez did not make any notable progress in the Premier League last season, despite his impressive performance across all competitions. However, now at 25, he seems poised to dominate the league, potentially benefiting from the changes brought by new management.
As a result, Liverpool should consider benching Jota for the upcoming match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield. While Jota is a fantastic player, he isn’t the only option in Slot’s arsenal, and both Nunez and Gakpo are eager to make a strong impact as this promising new era begins.
In other Liverpool news, “That Will Be His Way Into the Side” – Journalist Reveals How Federico Chiesa Could Fit into Liverpool’s Strategy
