The first half of Liverpool vs Wolves has led me to a fairly concrete conclusion about Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool’s first half performance at Molineux was dreadful.
Arne Slot’s side managed just 0.21 xG before the break and looked out of ideas very early on. The second half was better, but ultimately a lack of attacking threat cost the visitors.
The wide players offered almost nothing in terms of creativity, and it’s high time we had a conversation about them.
Whose performance concerned you the most against Wolves?
Some utterly abject displays
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Liverpool - Premier League
Photo by Ben Roberts – Danehouse/Getty Images
Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo can’t be Liverpool starters next season
Look, Salah broke his Liverpool goal drought against Wolves, but it doesn’t negate the fact that both he and Gakpo have been offering little to no threat in recent weeks.
The Dutchman was the better of the two up until he was hooked just after the hour mark, but I can’t help but feel like even his best form isn’t good enough to hold down the left-wing position.
And with Salah, the most damning indictment is probably that Jeremie Frimpong was by far the bigger threat on the right flank despite playing as a defender.
Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo pictured on the bench during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Slot hasn’t been all that flexible when it comes to attacking rotation, but surely a breaking point has to be reached. This is a Wolves side that — while better in recent weeks — have been the Premier League’s worst defensive outfit.
Yet Salah and Gakpo did little to threaten them over the 90 minutes.
Salah looks like leaving Liverpool this summer anyway, but let’s say he doesn’t. I don’t think he should be seen as untouchable anymore. There is just too much evidence to suggest the decline has begun.
Discuss: Diomande has already proven he’s the BEST replacement for Mo Salah!
Diomande, Doue, Williams and Barcola have been named as potential options…
Yan Diomande gestures to teammates during RB Leipzig's Bundesliga match with VfL Wolfsburg at the Red Bull Arena. Bradley Barcola looks down during PSG's FIFA Club World Cup semi-final against Real Madrid in New Jersey. Nico Williams pictured in action for Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League semi-final clash versus Manchester United. Desire Doue during Paris Saint-Germain v Lille OSC - Ligue 1 McDonald's.
Credit: Boris Streubel/Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/David Ramos/Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
I actually don’t think Liverpool should sell Gakpo. His best days in a red shirt were when he and Luis Diaz shared starting responsibilities and he can still be an effective squad player.
But Rio Ngumoha has to start more next season, and preferably in the final months of this season too. Then, some new talent needs to be brought in at the end of the campaign.
The bottom line is, Liverpool aren’t winning the league next season with these two providing the width.
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