Luis Diaz vs Cody Gakpo: The ANSWER to Arne Slot’s biggest Liverpool headache

Luis Diaz or Cody Gakpo? That’s the biggest question at Liverpool right now and Arne Slot’s first true headache as the new head coach.

Liverpool struggled to find production on the left-wing last season. Luis Diaz was there for a lot of it and finished with eight goals and five assists in the Premier League. Cody Gakpo also had eight goals and five assists but he spent most of his time as a centre-forward.

Diogo Jota played out there, as did Darwin Nunez. Consistent output, though, was a serious issue. Jurgen Klopp was unable to lock down anyone in the role and really spent all season trying different things to find someone that clicked.

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Well, Arne Slot has the opposite problem. Both Diaz and Gakpo have started the season wonderfully, scoring goals and looking incredibly threatening.

So who does he pick?

The case for Luis Diaz

There are some beautifully promising things about Diaz's play this season. Above all, he just looks sharper, looks more consistent and frequently looks like the most dangerous player on the pitch.

When a player passes 'the eye test' like that, it's usually all true.

The data backs it up. Diaz isn't suddenly finding himself in front of goal more - he's actually averaging an almost identical number of shots per 90 minutes to last season (3.22 last season to 3.29). But he's hitting the target far more often - his percentage of shots on target has lept from 34% to 61%. It's the fifth-best percentage among Premier League players with at least 10 shots this season (Mohamed Salah is fourth).

His passing numbers are pretty much the same. His dribbling numbers look near-identical to last season, too.

The difference is that Diaz has finally added that clinical touch to his game. Maybe it lasts, maybe it doesn't - but he's now looking like the player we all hoped he'd be in his most frustrating moments.

The case for Cody Gakpo

Gakpo is a much harder one to judge, if only because he's played a mere 106 Premier League minutes this season. What's promising there is that he's created three chances and had four shots in those minutes - incredible numbers for such limited time.

But it's away from the PL where Gakpo has shone. He's started twice this season - away at AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League and at home to West Ham United in the EFL Cup. The Dutchman was pretty unanimously considered the best player on the pitch in both fixtures.

Gakpo was unfortunate to finish with 'just' an assist in Milan, but he did bag two goals against West Ham. Fantastic goals, too.

And it's his all-around game that impresses. Six take-ons across those games is brilliant, as it creating three chances in an away European clash. Liverpool games are running through Gakpo when he's starting - and that's a difficult thing to achieve.

Arne Slot's answer

Diaz.

Gakpo is certainly shining brightly right now but Diaz is in such a rich vein of form in front of goal that Arne Slot has to stick with him. It might not last forever, after all, and Liverpool must take advantage of his goals while they can.

And if that ends up being all season long, then lucky us.

There's also just a feeling that when Liverpool are at full strength, running the game through Gakpo isn't as important. It's still wonderful to have - but there are other players who can run a game.

We saw why having Gakpo in the 'rotated' team is so valuable against West Ham. He was able to stand up and be the man - to devastating effect.

Slot should keep this balance for now. Diaz is the go-to in a full-strength side, while Gakpo almost leads things while others rest.

It's certainly worked up to now.