Phil Thompson calls for Jurgen Klopp to drop Liverpool 24-year-old who is ‘confused’

Follow us on Google Discover

Darwin Nunez has started to hit another slump in form for Liverpool.

The goalless draw against Manchester United on Sunday was unexpected, with Liverpool’s forward line under fire for being off-colour and wasting chances. 

Darwin Nunez started the game at Anfield, but Phil Thompson has now called for the all-action forward to be dropped for Cody Gakpo, as he told talkSPORT Breakfast (19/12/23 at 9:40 am). 

The Liverpool legend feels that Darwin Nunez is ‘confused’ because he isn’t playing his natural game, nor doing the ‘basics’ right.

Whilst it could be a weakness for the 24-year-old, one of the great things about Darwin Nunez is the unexpected nature of his game.

Sometimes, not even the player himself knows what he is going to do next, which if it works, is brilliant to watch.

Phil Thompson wants that to be brought back into his game, as he called for the former Benfica star to ‘shoot from anywhere’.

Should Darwin Nunez be dropped by Liverpool?

“I think he has to (start to deliver),” said Thompson. “It’s a difficult one because we have to play him because of Jota’s injury.

“You might think Gakpo (will start). I like Gakpo. He poses a completely (different threat). I like Nunez, but he is just having one of those spells, at the moment.

“I think he got himself a little confused because everybody was talking about his relationship with Mo Salah. How they pass to each other and they were assisting each other.

“And he has forgotten about what he does best, that’s have a shot from anywhere and he’s not doing the same thing anymore, so he has to get back to his basics, so I think Cody Gakpo has to come into the manager’s mind, particularly for the Arsenal game.”

Cody Gakpo to start for Liverpool?

The Dutchman is fairly different to Nunez, in regards to what he provides with and without the ball.

More of a touch player, with great movement without the ball and someone who is delicate in his play rather than a brute force like Nunez.

With Arsenal coming up at the weekend in a huge and crucial Premier League title showdown, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gakpo starts.

But before anything can happen, the Reds have League Cup action to deal with, as West Ham United travel to Merseyside on Wednesday night for a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.