Liverpool’s win over Fulham offered relief, but Gakpo still dominated the conversation for the wrong reasons. A first-half burst from Rio Ngumoha and Mohamed Salah delivered a 2-0 result, yet the performance also exposed a sharper debate inside Liverpool’s attack: when one forward becomes too easy to read, does the entire rhythm start to slow?
Why the performance mattered beyond the scoreline
The result mattered because it followed two comprehensive defeats in quick succession, leaving Arne Slot under pressure and in need of a response. The victory kept Liverpool in the Champions League qualification places and gave the manager some breathing room.
But the larger story was not only the points. Stephen Warnock’s criticism of Gakpo drew attention to a deeper tactical issue: predictability. Warnock said Gakpo was “so predictable at the moment, ” pointing to a pattern in which he repeatedly wants to cut inside onto his right foot. In a league where defenders anticipate as much as they react, that habit can blunt an attack before it gains momentum.
What lay beneath Liverpool’s sharpest spell in weeks
Warnock also praised Liverpool’s best play “in weeks, ” describing the opening stages as quick, incisive, and full of one-and-two-touch football. That assessment matters because it captures the contrast inside the same match. Liverpool looked fluid when the ball moved early and decisively, but less convincing when possession slowed and decisions became delayed.
Gakpo’s role sits at the center of that contrast. He did register four shots and an assist for Salah’s goal, which shows he remained involved. Yet the context of those numbers is important. The problem was not simply output; it was how often the attack paused when he received the ball in advanced areas. The extra touch, the hesitation, and the repeated attempt to come inside gave Fulham time to set their shape. In a team built on tempo, that kind of delay has consequences.
Ngumoha’s goal sharpened the comparison. The teenager attacked directly, used quick footwork, and created a shooting lane with minimal touches. That was the kind of vertical action Liverpool needed in moments where space was limited. Gakpo, by contrast, looked caught between choices rather than committed to one.
Expert views on the tactical problem around Gakpo
Stephen Warnock, a former Liverpool defender, framed the issue in practical terms when he noted that Castagne knew what was coming. That is the core of the concern: once a winger becomes readable, the defender’s job becomes simpler. The move is not just easier to block; it becomes easier to prepare for before the duel even begins.
Jamie Redknapp, another former Liverpool player, highlighted the opposite trait in Ngumoha, praising the youngster’s fast feet and directness after his second Premier League goal of the season. His comments offered a useful contrast without overstating the moment. One player attacked space with conviction; the other was judged to have hesitated in it.
Arne Slot’s post-match remarks on Ngumoha reinforced the idea that Liverpool still values one-v-one dominance. Slot said the teenager has “special quality” in dominating that situation, and praised the power and technique behind the finish. That is significant because it suggests the manager is not only looking for control, but for players who can break it.
What this means for Liverpool’s wider attack
The broader impact goes beyond one player’s off day. Liverpool’s attacking structure depends on wide forwards who can both score and destabilise defenders. When that balance is off, the team’s pace drops and its patterns become easier to defend. Gakpo’s assist shows the creative side remains present, but the concern is consistency in decisive moments.
The latest stretch also gives Liverpool a clearer strategic question. Can the attack keep its sharpest edge if one of its senior wide options continues to be predictable? Or will the solution come through more variation, earlier releases, and a willingness to attack defenders in different ways? The answer may shape how the team handles the next phase of the season, especially after a week that exposed both relief and fragility.
For now, Liverpool have the result they needed. Whether Gakpo can turn that relief into renewed confidence is the next test.
