SHOCKING NEWS: coming live from Fabrizio Romano, Liverpool fans have vented their frustration over the exclusion of a certain 24-year-old from the starting line-up for the Premier League match against Bournemouth. The player, who is widely regarded as a talented and promising young star, was left on the bench for the game, prompting supporters to chant for him to be given more opportunities. “Liverpool fans chant for ‘unlucky’ star to be given more chances Klopp under fire over team selection”.
Liverpool supporters express discontent over Cody Gakpo’s omission from the starting lineup in the crucial Premier League away fixture against Bournemouth on January 21. The Reds, currently leading the league, field Alisson Becker as the goalkeeper, with Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konate forming the defensive lineup. In the midfield, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones, and Harvey Elliott start, while Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Diogo Jota lead the attacking trio as Gakpo finds himself on the bench.
Despite the 24-year-old Dutch international’s impressive season with nine goals and three assists in 27 appearances, fans express bewilderment and dissatisfaction with his absence in the starting XI. Social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), host comments like “4 games, 3 goals, 1 assist, free my boy Gakpo man” and “Gakpo should be starting.”
Jurgen Klopp’s team, perched at the top of the league with 45 points from 20 matches, aims to extend their lead against 12th-placed Bournemouth. Klopp may introduce Gakpo during the game from the bench, but fans continue to voice disappointment about his initial exclusion. On X, various reactions reflect the fan sentiment, emphasizing the desire to see Gakpo in the starting lineup.
The situation becomes more nuanced as former Liverpool midfielder Boudewijn Zenden weighs in on Gakpo’s versatility. Zenden notes the challenges Gakpo faced joining mid-season and highlights his adaptability across attacking positions. Although his optimal position remains unclear, Gakpo’s ability to complement other forwards is acknowledged.
The absence of Mohamed Salah, engaged in AFCON duty, opens the door for Gakpo to shine for Liverpool, evident in his two goals in the initial three games of 2024. Despite starting on the bench against Bournemouth, Gakpo’s recent performances suggest he could make a significant impact if called upon during the match.
