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Cody Gakpo has been urged to show more for Liverpool after facing criticism for his form at the start of the season.
Gakpo's talent is undeniable, but he has scored just once in his last eight appearances for the Reds, and some have suggested that Liverpool is missing Luis Diaz. Although Diaz was sometimes used through the middle last season, Diaz and Gakpo were largely fighting for the left wing spot in Liverpool's team for most of the time that they were at the club together.
Diaz has excelled for Bayern Munich, registering six goals and four assists in 10 appearances for his new club, and former Red Emile Heskey has called on his old teammate to bring his level up.
"I think Gakpo needs to come into his own," Heskey told Pundit Arena. "I think he's got to show a little bit more, especially on that left wing. He needs to show a little bit more for me.
"I was hoping he could be the one that would be stepping into that void that Luis Diaz has left. I don’t think they regret selling Diaz though, business is business.
"But then you've got the young lad, Rio Ngumoha as back-up. You could play Ekitike out there as well. I did like Diaz because when he played up front, he gave you something different because he was drifting as well - that’s what Ekitike gives you.
"But then on the left, I love the way he drove up at defenders, we’ve got very few wingers that do that now, drive at defenders, especially on the outside."
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge also believes the Reds have missed Diaz since the start of the season.
Speaking after Liverpool lost a third game in a row prior to the international break, Sturridge said: "Luis Diaz is a massive miss for me.
"When you look at Liverpool last year and how they used to press, I think arguably he was the one who would set the press in the front three. Szoboszlai would do it in the midfield with that power and dynamism that he has.
"For me, Luis Diaz, how tenacious he is on the ball and how hungry he is to get it back for his team. He brought something to Liverpool that they are now missing. I think Ekitike and Isak and Wirtz work hard, I'm not saying they don't.
"We can't question their work rate or their quality.
"But what I will say is that they're attack-minded players. I think with Diaz would sacrifice himself defensively. That's what they've got to figure out now, who in that attack is going to give themselves up a little bit.
"In a front three there always has to be one guy who goes, "I'm not stats hungry."'
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