Arne Slot must be wondering what’s happened to his Liverpool team after throwing away a two-nil lead to draw 3-3 against Leeds United, and fans are suggesting there is a disconnect between two of his players.
The Reds were in control when Hugo Ekitike came up with a brace in the space of two minutes and seemingly looked to have sent the visitors on their way to victory. But a clumsy challenge from Ibrahima Konate in his own box allowed former Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to get the Peacocks back into the game.
Anton Stach then struck an equaliser as the Whites stunned the Merseyside giants, who were shellshocked and in desperate need of somebody to come to the fore. That man was Dominik Szoboszlai, undoubtedly his team’s best player this season, who made it 3-2 with a fine finish.
Slot’s nightmare continued, though, as right at the death, the hosts came alive from a corner, and Ao Tanaka arrived at the back post to strike past Alisson Becker. The crisis continued for the defending champions, and glaring issues are taking hold, including a lack of chemistry between two teammates, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans.
Leeds 3-3 Liverpool – Fans Think Gakpo Has ‘Beef’ With Kerkez
Much has been made of Slot’s decision to bench Mohamed Salah for his side’s last three games and the Egyptian forward wasn’t even used tonight. But Cody Gakpo remains a starter despite not quite reaching the levels of last season and he isn’t clicking with summer signing Milos Kerkez.
There were several occasions when Kerkez offered Gakpo an option on the overlap and was in space to receieve the ball but was ignored. The Hungarian has endured a difficult start to his Anfield career but he isn’t being helped by a lack of cohesion with Slot’s left winger.
Fans have highlighted this after watching the pair in the Leeds draw. One fan wrote:
“Milos Kerkez is basically doing bleep test here because of Gakpo. Feel bad for him.”
Another added:
“Gakpo has to have beef with Kerkez why does he refuse to pass him the ball?”
One fan wants Gakpo to answer for his reluctance to use Kerkez:
“If Gakpo ever does an interview again someone got to ask him what’s his beef with kerkez! Just refuses to pass him the ball.”
Another wrote:
“Honestly get Gakpo out of this team. Just pass to Kerkez when he over/under laps you for f**ks sake you can’t cross the ball.”
One supporter is frustrated with the Dutchman wasting possession:
“Milos Kerkez wastes so much energy busting a gut to help Gakpo, only for the latter to refuse to play the pass & instantly lose the ball.”
Another joked:
“Reckon Kerkez must’ve beat Gakpo at fifa or something. Gakpo just plays like there isn’t an overlapping left back.”
One fan hit out at Gakpo:
“The lack of chemistry between Kerkez and Gakpo is painfully bad and I think it’s genuinely all on Gakpo. He ignores him at every single opportunity. So jarring.”
Kerkez was one of the Premier League’s best left-backs last season and his signing was viewed as a great piece of business. He was tipped to become Andy Robertson’s long-term replacement but he has failed to replicate his form shown at Bournemouth last season.
The 22-year-old thrived in Andoni Iraola’s side and was particularly effective working in tandem with those in front of him such as Luis Sinisterra. There’s a reason he finished that campaign with six assists in the league.
Liverpool and Kerkez Ruing Luis Diaz Exit
Had the Reds not opted to sell Luis Diaz in the summer, it could well have been the Colombian attacker starting on the left wing this season. He was important to Slot last season, and the team’s nosedive may have the club’s higher-ups kicking themselves over his sale.
Diaz was a pure left-winger while Gakpo possesses a more versatile profile that often sees him drift inside. That’s not to say that the Dutchman isn’t an excellent footballer who was a standout performer in last season’s title win.
“The impact he’s had on the squad, the way he plays is different, and he’s been exceptional” – Andy Robertson on Diaz in April 2022.
But Kerkez may have benefited from playing with Diaz, who is flourishing at Bayern Munich after his £65.5 million move. The decision to sign Ekitike and Alexander Isak was always going to result in one or two exits but the Colombian shouldn’t have been sold.
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