The evolution of Liverpool Football Club under Arne Slot has been nothing short of fascinating, culminating in a Premier League title that few predicted would arrive so quickly after the departure of Jurgen Klopp. While the silverware in the cabinet suggests a seamless transition, the tactical shift has created winners and losers within the squad. The most contentious debate among the Anfield faithful remains the battle for the number nine shirt, a position that has undergone a radical redefinition since the days of Roberto Firmino.
The uncertainty surrounding who leads the line has implications that extend beyond just tactical diagrams. Analysts often struggle to predict Liverpool’s exact lineup potency, and recent betting odds show that. Insights from Gambling Insider on the latest non-GamStop betting sites show that more platforms are offering ‘bet builders’ and player prop markets, allowing fans to bet on more exact player-related markets rather than simply the outcome of the game. Market confidence shifts based on which striker leads the line. When the team sheet drops, the presence of a chaotic element versus a controlled facilitator changes the entire complexion of the match prediction, reflecting the stark difference in styles between the contenders for the role.
Evaluating Arne Slot’s Requirements for Center Forwards
To understand the friction in Liverpool’s selection process, one must first appreciate what Arne Slot demands from his central striker. Unlike his predecessor, who often thrived on broken play and rapid transitions, Slot prioritizes control, possession retention, and positional fluidity. The Dutchman’s system relies heavily on a forward who can drop deep, link play with the midfield pivot, and vacate space for onrushing wingers or attacking midfielders.
This role requires a high level of technical security—the ability to receive the ball under pressure without surrendering possession cheaply.
In this system, the striker is effectively a pivot point in the final third. They must possess the spatial awareness to operate between the lines, acting almost as a false nine when necessary, while still maintaining the threat to run in behind.
This dual responsibility is physically demanding but, more importantly, cognitively taxing. It requires a player to constantly scan the field and make split-second decisions that prioritize the team’s structure over individual glory.
The shift towards this “total football” approach has naturally favored players who are comfortable in tight spaces. Slot’s Liverpool is designed to suffocate opponents through sustained pressure and intricate passing triangles, rather than simply outrunning them in a track meet.
Consequently, a forward who relies purely on athleticism or instinct can often find themselves isolated or, worse, breaking the team’s rhythm. The ideal Slot striker is a conductor as much as a finisher, a requirement that has tilted the scales in recent months.
The Statistical Case for Nunez’s Chaotic Output
Darwin Nunez remains one of the most polarizing figures to ever grace the Anfield turf. His passion is undeniable, and his physical gifts are elite, yet his output under the new regime has raised serious questions about his long-term viability. The 2024-25 campaign was meant to be his breakout year, but the data paints a picture of a player struggling to adapt to a more structured environment. Despite his immense price tag, Nunez managed a disappointing return in the league, with performance data showing he ranked poorly in season ratings after netting just five Premier League goals.
The issue is not just a lack of finishing, but a lack of creative cohesion. In a system that relies on the striker to facilitate others, Nunez often becomes a tactical dead end. While he did contribute five assists across all competitions last season, these moments of quality were often interspersed with periods of frustration where attacks broke down due to heavy touches or poor decision-making.
His “Agent of Chaos” moniker, once worn as a badge of honor, has become a euphemism for tactical indiscipline in a side that now craves order.
Furthermore, the financial aspect cannot be ignored. With a transfer fee of £64m hanging over his head, the return on investment has been underwhelming. Slot’s management of Nunez’s minutes—often benching him for crucial control-oriented fixtures—suggests a lack of trust in his ability to execute the game plan.
The Uruguayan’s tendency to drift wide and shoot from impossible angles contradicts the high-probability chance creation model that Liverpool’s analytics department favors. While he can turn a game on its head with a moment of brilliance, he can just as easily disrupt his own team’s momentum, a volatility that a title-winning manager finds difficult to accommodate.
Gakpo’s Technical Security and Link-Up Metrics
On the other side of the spectrum sits Cody Gakpo, a player whose stock has risen significantly as he has settled into life on Merseyside. Initially deployed on the left, Gakpo has demonstrated a tactical intelligence that aligns perfectly with Slot’s philosophy.
His ability to receive the ball with his back to goal, turn, and drive at defenses offers the technical security that Nunez often lacks. This was evident throughout the title-winning campaign, where Gakpo proved to be a reliable source of goals, averaging 0.46 goals per 90 minutes in the Premier League 2024-25 season.
Gakpo’s influence extends far beyond raw goal scoring. His heatmap often resembles that of an attacking midfielder, showcasing his willingness to drop deep and overload the midfield areas. This movement pulls center-backs out of position, creating the very gaps that Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz thrive upon.
When Gakpo plays centrally, Liverpool’s pass completion rate in the final third typically improves, and the team sustains attacks for longer periods. His composure in possession allows the team to reset and recycle the ball, preventing the chaotic end-to-end transitions that Slot is keen to avoid.
Predicting the Long-Term Starter at Anfield
As we look toward the future of Liverpool’s attack, the trajectory seems to be bending away from the chaotic brilliance of Darwin Nunez and toward the calculated precision of Cody Gakpo. Arne Slot has shown a ruthless streak in his squad selection, prioritizing players who can execute his specific tactical demands without deviation. The modern game, particularly at the elite level where Liverpool operates, leaves little room for passengers in the build-up phase.
It is becoming increasingly likely that Gakpo will establish himself as the primary option for the central role, or at least the “False 9” variant that Slot prefers for big matches. His understanding of space and ability to bring others into play mirrors the qualities that made this Liverpool team champions. While Nunez offers a unique weapon off the bench—a battering ram to deploy against tiring defenses—his limitations in possession may relegate him to the role of an impact substitute rather than a guaranteed starter.
