Arne Slot Explains why he Dropped this Liverpool Star vs Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Tactical Gamble with Gakpo at Selhurst Park Raises Questions

Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace has stirred debate among supporters and pundits alike. Central to the discussion was manager Arne Slot’s decision to leave Cody Gakpo on the bench until half-time, a call that appeared to shape the early stages of the game.

Slot Explains His Choice to Bench Gakpo

Speaking to the club’s official website after the loss, the 47-year-old manager outlined his reasoning.

“We wanted to overload the midfield with Florian Wirtz in the first half – that’s why we didn’t start with Cody,” said the former Feyenoord coach.

That tactical approach was quickly reconsidered once Liverpool went into the break trailing.

“If you’re 1-0 down and you need a goal, you prefer to have width on both sides – and that’s why we brought Cody in,” Slot added.

Photo: IMAGO

The adjustment brought a more familiar shape to Liverpool’s front line and gave Palace’s defence more to think about. Federico Chiesa’s late strike offered hope of salvaging a point before Eddie Nketiah’s dramatic winner for Palace sealed the home side’s victory.

Midfield Experiment Highlights Liverpool’s Growing Pains

Slot’s decision to prioritise midfield control with Florian Wirtz came at a cost. The German midfielder missed a clear chance to score, leaving Liverpool frustrated and behind on the scoreboard. The defeat emphasised that even after winning the Premier League title last season, the team remains a work in progress under Slot’s evolving tactical philosophy.

The setback also threw the spotlight on the new-look forward line. Alexander Isak, making only his second Premier League start since arriving for £125 million, struggled to make an impact alongside Wirtz, another high-profile summer recruit costing £116 million from Bayer Leverkusen. Both have been brought in to elevate Liverpool’s attacking output but so far have yet to deliver consistently.

Defensive Concerns Persist Despite Title Triumph

Liverpool’s summer rebuild extended to their back line, but issues remain. Palace captain Marc Guehi, whose proposed deadline-day move to Anfield collapsed, marshalled the opposition defence superbly while Liverpool’s own back four looked vulnerable at key moments. Those lapses eventually proved costly, highlighting that despite Slot’s impressive start to his tenure, the team still requires refinement to maintain the standards set during last season’s title run.

Gakpo’s Role in Slot’s Future Plans

The Dutch forward’s cameo at Selhurst Park underlined his value to the squad, stretching the Palace defence and injecting much-needed width and urgency. However, Slot’s post-match comments hinted that he expected more from Gakpo, particularly in the build-up to the late winner. For Liverpool supporters, it raises questions about how the 24-year-old fits into the evolving system and whether he will reclaim a regular starting role.

Liverpool’s title defence remains on track despite this early setback, but the match at Selhurst Park serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with bedding in marquee signings and maintaining tactical balance. Slot’s willingness to experiment will be crucial over the long season ahead, and how he manages players like Gakpo could prove decisive in keeping the Reds at the summit of English football.