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Liverpool’s Recent Form and the Transfer Buzz Around Gyökeres

Liverpool fans had plenty to digest this week following their Carabao Cup win over Brighton, as discussed in depth by Ben Bocsak and Dave Davis on the Stat Me Up podcast for Anfield Index. The match, featuring a reshuffled Liverpool side, showcased individual performances that hint at the team’s depth, especially heading into a busy season under the management of Arne Slot. Beyond the game analysis, the podcast also touched on Liverpool’s potential interest in Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting, stirring excitement among fans regarding Liverpool’s future offensive options.

Performance Highlights: Rotation and Resilience

Liverpool’s match against Brighton in the Carabao Cup saw an extensively rotated lineup, featuring eight changes. Ben Bocsak noted that this reshuffling, though risky, allowed fringe players like Connor Bradley, Tyler Morton, and Quansah to demonstrate their capabilities. As Bocsak put it, “I knew it was going to be a rusty game because of the changes,” but the young players “made their moments count.” Liverpool came away with a 3-2 victory, a result that showcased the team’s resilience despite Brighton’s formidable lineup, which “included quite a few of their starters.”

The standout on the night was Cody Gakpo, who, in Bocsak’s words, produced “two absolute blamers” to secure his title as man of the match. His two-goal haul brought his total to “four goals in two matches this season” in the League Cup, earning him the nickname “Mr. League Cup” from Davis. Bocsak also highlighted Gakpo’s broader contribution, noting that he “created two chances, the joint most in the game,” showing a versatility in play that Liverpool fans can be excited about.

Transfer Rumours: Gyökeres and Liverpool’s Forward Line

Attention then shifted to Liverpool’s potential interest in Viktor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon, whose profile and playing style have caught the eye of Anfield’s recruitment team. With Mohammed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Diogo Jota facing contract decisions within the next two years, Bocsak speculated that Gyökeres could be a suitable future addition. Ben discussed Gyökeres’ effectiveness in front of goal, particularly highlighting his “goal conversion rate above 30% for Sporting” and his consistent performance across seasons. “He’s not just a big target man,” Bocsak noted, pointing out Gyökeres’ ability to take on defenders and “attempt around seven dribbles per game,” a stat that would put him on par with Liverpool’s current wingers in terms of dribbling ability.

Photo: IMAGO

Gyökeres’ mentality and commitment to improvement also impressed Bocsak, who referenced how “since his teenage years, he’s invested in personal trainers” to hone his game. Bocsak shared an anecdote illustrating Gyökeres’ competitiveness, even revealing that after losing a game of tennis to his girlfriend, he was so frustrated that he “smashed his racket.” For Bocsak, this mentality is essential, stating, “these are the kind of players that you want… who will give their all to make sure you win every game.”

Liverpool’s Defensive Concerns and Looking Ahead

Another topic of conversation on the Stat Me Up podcast was Liverpool’s defensive display, particularly focusing on Robertson’s recent performances. Against Brighton, Robertson managed “the joint most clearances in the game” but struggled in one-on-one situations, being “dribbled past four times.” While Bocsak acknowledged Robertson’s defensive contributions, he raised concerns about the growing trend of missed challenges, stating, “it’s becoming a bit of a pattern.” Dave Davis added that many fans are already “wondering if Liverpool need a new long-term left back.”

Bocsak also touched on Liverpool’s previous encounters with Brighton, calling them a “bogey team” for the Reds. With only one win in the past four matches against Brighton, he suggested that the upcoming league game would be “a huge test” for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who faces Brighton’s in-form forward Kaoru Mitoma. Trent’s defending has “really improved this season,” according to Bocsak, but Mitoma’s one-on-one skills will challenge Liverpool’s defence as they look to keep their strong league form intact.