Liverpool FC news: Journalist attacks Arne Slot for 'STRANGE' treatment of Luis Diaz
Arne Slot’s decision to play Cody Gakpo on Tuesday against AC Milan was a stroke of genius.
The Liverpool manager decided that the Dutch forward should start over Luis Diaz, and this paid off extremely well.
The Reds ran out 3-1 winners away at the San Siro, and Gakpo was one of the standout players. He terrorised the Milan defence and picked up an assist for his troubles.
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But one journalist believed the decision to leave out Diaz for this game was a mistake.
Journalist rage at Diaz dropping
The Colombian has had a fine start to the season, notching up three goals and an assist in four Premier League games.
His performance at Old Trafford was exemplary and it is wonderful to see the winger settling into his stride.
However, last Saturday against Nottingham Forest was an off day for him and the team as a whole with Slot deciding to test Gakpo on the left-hand side in midweek instead.
Although Gakpo ran the show, Colombian journalist Andres Marocco suggested that Slot should have left the 27-year-old on the bench against Nottingham Forest, and instead started him against Milan.
Speaking to SportWitness he supports this by saying,
“
What happened today [Tuesday] was strange. Wasn’t it better to have put Lucho on as a substitute in the game against Nottingham Forest and today as a starter?”“One would think, away from home, that you need to think about the counterattack. And for the counterattack, [you need] Lucho. It’s the first game Slot didn’t start him. That’s when you say, do I need the Champions League match?”
Marocco criticises Slot’s decision even hinting at the manager not caring about the Champions League by leaving Luis on the bench.
He then continues to say that Slot leaving him on the bench doesn’t deter the Colombian. “That’s where you hope that Lucho’s head is fine. It’s not easy.”
Liverpool’s no.7 has, of course, been brilliant so far this season. But Gakpo’s display this week can’t go unnoticed. It is always great to have friendly competition between players, and supporters will be extremely pleased to see the both of them kicking on and delivering results.
It remains to be seen who will start against Bournemouth on Saturday.