Ferdinand Surprised by Klopp’s Selection Call in Liverpool’s Defeat

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has expressed surprise over Jurgen Klopp’s team selection in Liverpool’s recent defeat to Arsenal. Cody Gakpo, making his first Premier League start since Boxing Day, was favored over Darwin Nunez, despite the latter’s recent form.

Speaking on Vibe with Five, Ferdinand admitted his astonishment at Klopp’s decision to field Gakpo instead of Nunez, who had been making significant contributions to Liverpool’s attack. The 24-year-old Uruguayan, although introduced later in the game, had been instrumental in previous matches, causing problems for opposing defenses.

Ferdinand said of that particular selection from Klopp: “I’ve got to be honest, I was surprised when I saw the team come out. I was like, if I was a defender on the opposite team at Arsenal, I’d have been happy with that.

“Darwin Nunez has been on some smoke. He hasn’t been maybe scoring all the goals that everyone’s going mad about, but he’s causing havoc. He’s ruffling feathers.

“I watched him against Chelsea. He didn’t score, but they couldn’t handle him. It would have been a different story up front. Gakpo’s a decent player, but he isn’t the way Nunez is, running in behind all the time.”

Ferdinand highlighted Nunez’s ability to disrupt defenses and create scoring opportunities, referencing his performance against Chelsea where his presence alone posed a significant threat. While acknowledging Gakpo’s talent, Ferdinand emphasized that Nunez’s style of play, characterized by his pace and ability to run behind defenders, offered a different dynamic to Liverpool’s attack.

The surprise omission of Nunez from the starting lineup drew scrutiny from Ferdinand and raised questions about Klopp’s tactical decisions, particularly in a crucial fixture against Arsenal. As Liverpool navigates through a tightly contested Premier League season, such selection dilemmas could have far-reaching implications for their title ambitions.

Jurgen Klopp’s decision to start Cody Gakpo over Darwin Nunez in Liverpool’s recent match against Arsenal may have raised eyebrows, but it seems the manager had his reasons. Despite Nunez’s recent effectiveness, Klopp may have believed that Gakpo was better suited to facing Arsenal’s defense.

However, neither forward lived up to expectations in the game, mirroring Liverpool’s overall performance. Nunez missed a crucial chance and received a late yellow card, while Gakpo struggled to make an impact, registering minimal touches and passes throughout the match.

Speculation arises as to whether the outcome would have differed had Klopp opted to stick with Nunez from the start. Nevertheless, Klopp’s track record warrants trust in his team selection.

With the Arsenal match behind them, Liverpool must focus on improving their performance against Burnley next Saturday. Klopp’s selection against Arsenal can be chalked up to an off-day, and the team must ensure it remains an isolated incident moving forward.