Steven Gerrard demands Arne Slot drop Liverpool star after dismal Wolves showing

Gerrard and Slot

Steven Gerrardhas called on Arne Slot to DROP Cody Gakpo and start Rio Ngumoha for Liverpool's trip to Wolves in theFA Cupon Friday night.

The Reds travel to Molineux for the second time in three days following Tuesday's 2-1 defeat in thePremier League.

After Mohamed Salah had cancelled out Rodrigo Gomes' opener, it looked as though the Reds were going to pick up a point from the game in the West Midlands.

But Andre netted a dramatic 94th minute for Wolves to condemn Liverpool to a first defeat in five matches

Slot's side haven't got long to dwell on the result, however, as they prepare to make the trip down to the Black Country in less than 72 hours time.

And Gerrard believes that Slot should make one notable change to his starting XI for the FA Cup fifth round tie

After Virgil van Dijk branded the Reds as slow and predictable, Gerrard agreed and said that Slot should start Ngumoha above Gakpo, who failed to impress before he was substituted in the 65th minute.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Liverpool legend Gerrard said:

"He's right because for 65 minutes, Liverpool were desperate tonight, really poor. [They] didn’t create enough, didn’t play at the right speed or the right tempo, they didn’t have the right quality.

"He has to start Ngumoha now, he has to start him because he’s coming on and doing more in a short cameo and in a short space of time than Gakpo is doing in 65/70 minutes.

“He deserves a start now. He's got the start the kid on Friday night."

Ngumoha replaced Gakpo for the final 25 minutes plus stoppage-time at Molineux and made an impact during his time on the pitch. The 17-year-old hit the post and looked a more dangerous threat than Gakpo.

The 2008-born forward has made 19 first-team appearances, scoring twice. He started the FA Cup third round win against Barnsley before coming off the bench for the final 13 minutes as the Reds beat Brighton in the fourth round.

Slot cut a frustrated figure after Liverpool's defeat at Wolves but felt his side should have won, after creating chances following Salah's 83rd minute equaliser.

“It should have gone the other way," Slot said post-match. "You’re mentioning Virgil's chance but don’t forget when Mo Salah is having a counter and both sides there are people free.

"He tried to find Dom [Szoboszlai] but someone got a foot in between. Those are moments that give a different result. [The goal was a] good moment for Mo; a good action. It was a bit lucky because they lost the ball in relatively simple situation.

"It was a good from open play, we have not scored that many from open play recently. We do create chances from open play, not as many as I would like, but enough to score more goals than we do."

#ad Great sale, so move quickly- Nespresso Citiz Coffee Machine by De'Longhi for Original Coffee Pods, Italian Inspired. https://amzn.to/4b4U2rl