It's been a strange old season for Cody Gakpo. On paper, seven goals and four assists in all competitions is certainly no disaster, yet he continues to find himself at the centre of Liverpool criticism.
Without a goal in the Premier League since facing Fulham seven games ago, it's also becoming tougher to mount a defence for the Dutchman - especially as Rio Ngumoha's cameos continue to spark the Reds into life.
Whilst Gakpo is predictable and slow in transition, Ngumoha has been refreshingly creative and daring in possession. It was on show for all to see against Nottingham Forest, but Arne Slot continues to persist with his compatriot.
One-dimensional Gakpo is hurting Liverpool's attack
For all of Slot's complaints about coming up against low blocks, it was Liverpool who were penned in behind the ball against Nottingham Forest for much of their last game.
The Reds could not get out, forced to absorb any pressure before attempting to launch counterattacks of their own. And that's where Gakpo's problems were on show.
Cody Gakpo for Liverpool
When Liverpool sold both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez last summer, they wouldn't have been concerned about losing their wasteful nature in front of goal, but they should have been concerned about losing their electric pace in transition.
For so often, be it under Jurgen Klopp or even in Slot's debut season last time out, Liverpool were clear transitional killers. Now, they are frustratingly lethargic and that stems from Mohamed Salah's decreased pace alongside Gakpo.
It's why they couldn't use Forest's pressure to their advantage to get out and a large reason why they've struggled from front to back this season.
Premier League 25/26 Gakpo Ngumoha
Minutes 1,824 89
Successful take-ons 26 8
Chances Created 38 7
Goals 5 1
Assists 3 0
The numbers don't make for pretty reading as far as Gakpo is concerned. For Ngumoha, on the other hand, it's clear to see where Liverpool's attacking answer could lie for the rest of the campaign.
Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha
In just 89 minutes of Premier League action, he has completed eight dribbles - only 18 fewer than Gakpo - and created seven chances. In terms of productivity, those numbers suggest that everything the teenager does in possession brings impressive value.
If Slot puts his reluctance to use young players in key moments to one side, he may yet notice another rising star who could replace Gakpo, too.
Anfield wonderkid could end Gakpo's Liverpool career
If the hype around Ngumoha has been big, then it's been deafening around young Josh Abe.
The 15-year-old winger is already taking part in first-team training at Liverpool and has reported interest from Real Madrid. But, the Reds simply cannot allow the Spanish giants to swoop in.
Described as having a "special" left foot by Liverpool and Hungary analyst Bence Bocsak, Abe has eased through Liverpool's youth set-up and looks destined to become a star in Merseyside.
For the U18s this season, the teenager has scored eight goals in just ten games. The next step will be the U21s and now is a timely reminder that he's just 15 years old. What Abe is doing is as impressive as it sounds. There's a reason he's generating as much hype as Ngumoha.
It's bad news for Gakpo's Anfield future. The Dutchman is set to face pressure from not just one wonderkid, but a second in the form of Abe who is likely to hand Slot an eventual selection headache.
Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo
From predictable and stale, Liverpool's future is set to feature two wonderkids. Perhaps there is still a chance that the Reds become the transitional killers that turned Klopp's best side into European champions.
The ball, however, remains in Slot's court and it's up to him to hand young stars a clear pathway.
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