Liverpool and Sunderland are going head-to-head in a Premier League meeting on February 11.
Arne Slot’s side have been on a poor run of form in the league, seeing them slip out of the Champions League places.
Slot’s future could be under threat without top-tier European football, but it’s hard to see how they catch Manchester United or Chelsea given their current form.
Liverpool were beaten by Manchester City last time out and have slipped five points behind the top four.
Will anything change on Wednesday? Well, that is very much down to Slot and whether he is willing to finally give a couple of fringe stars a chance.
Do we all agree it’s time for Arne Slot to drop Cody Gakpo vs Sunderland? 🔄
What would your starting line-up be for the game? 🔮
Cody Gakpo pictured in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Leeds United at Elland Road.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Liverpool’s best XI against Sunderland
The reality of the situation is that the Dutchman has become boring and predictable.
Yes, Liverpool have not been helped out by injury issues and a lack of January signings.
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But there are still a couple of key changes Slot could make to the team on Wednesday to give both the players and fans a boost.
Firstly, the obvious change would be Cody Gakpo, whom fans have grown tired of this season.
Florian Wirtz can’t play on the left this week because Dominik Szoboszlai is suspended, and Curtis Jones will be needed at right-back.
So, now would be the perfect time to start Rio Ngumoha in the Premier League.
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Trey Nyoni in action during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Rio Ngumoha of Liverpool celebrates at full-time following the team's victory in the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park
Credit: George Wood/Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images
Supporters have been asking to see Slot play Ngumoha a lot more, but he’s so far been limited to less than 90 minutes of league football in 2025/26.
The winger is fast, exciting and while a raw talent, has already showcased his ability to run at top-level backlines and cause issues.
Not only would his inclusion get fans back on side, it would also likely shock Sunderland, who will no doubt be preparing to face Gakpo.
Aside from Ngumoha, let’s all agree that Trey Nyoni needs to be given more playing time.
Nyoni shone against Qarabag when he came off the bench, and already looks like a serious talent able to dictate play and produce line-splitting passes.
Alexis Mac Allister has been decent in recent matches, to be fair to the Argentine, but with Liverpool’s form so poor, it’s obvious there needs to be some changes.
The rest of the XI will likely be the same as what we saw against Man City, barring Jones in at right-back.
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