Liverpool head coach Arne Slot revealed that Cody Gakpo struggled during the first half of Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland in the Premier League.
Gakpo was withdrawn at half-time, with Mohamed Salah introduced on the right flank. The Dutch winger’s difficulty in one-on-one situations prompted the change.
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Salah had been dropped in the previous match against West Ham but showed glimpses of impact after coming off the bench, although the Reds required a deflected equalizer from Florian Wirtz to level the game.
Slot Explains Tactical Adjustment
Slot explained that Sunderland’s defensive setup made it difficult for Gakpo to create chances. “He struggled to dominate the one-v-one or get crosses in,” Slot said in his post-match press conference.
Liverpool initially deployed Dominik Szoboszlai on the right to maintain defensive stability, but the coach shifted to Salah and Florian Wirtz to generate attacking momentum.
Despite the changes, Slot admitted the team found it challenging to produce moments of magic against Sunderland’s low block.
Alexander Isak also struggled to influence the game, leaving Wirtz as the standout performer in Liverpool’s forward line, reports Liverpool.
Slot praised the Reds’ defensive resilience but acknowledged the lack of attacking cohesion. “We hardly conceded, but it was difficult to create scoring moments,” he said.
The draw leaves Liverpool needing improvement in breaking down well-organized defenses as the Premier League continues.
Slot emphasized that Sunderland’s approach was predictable, underscoring the growing challenge of facing compact, defensive setups in England’s top flight.
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