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John Barnes has admitted he is unsure how Arne Slot’s front three will look this season following the record-breaking $169 million (£125M) arrival of Alexander Isak on transfer deadline day.
Liverpool has invested heavily in the attacking areas this summer, with Isak’s signing complemented by fellow summer incomings Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. Given Slot already has Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo at his disposal, finding a system to incorporate all his creative talent appears tough.
“It would help if he could name 13 players,” joked Barnes, speaking to Liverpool.com at a recent PICO event in Liverpool city center.
While most think Ekitike will be the man to drop out of the side, Barnes is unsure. “In terms of how Ekitike started, I don't think you can say he can be just drafted in,” said the former Liverpool winger.
“Ekitike started really well, but of course he'd be looking to play down the middle. Ekitike can play wide, and of course with Isak coming in, we've got a very fluid front three. I don't think we’ll see Mo playing down the middle, or Gakpo, for that matter, but I think that if he wants to move people around, he is able to do that.”
“Arne Slot will have to come up with that [solution], but what you do know is that you'll have players who can play in most positions. I suppose if he's spent a hundred and odd million, he [Isak] is going play,” the England legend added.
One player who does seem to have nailed down a spot in the side is Gakpo. The Dutchman has flourished since Slot’s appointment and has provided three goal involvements from as many league games this season, a tally only two players have bettered in the entire division.
The ex-PSV Eindhoven star was rewarded with a new long-term contract last week, and Barnes, a former flying winger, feels that Gakpo will once again play a vital role this season.
“Well, the team suits him probably more than it did on Jurgen [Klopp],” explained the 61-year-old. “The environment that suits him more. Arne Slot wants to play in a more technical way, so therefore the technical players will suit that.
“So, you can see how Gakpo has thrived under him. He was probably one of the most consistent players last year.
“That [left wing role] is Cody’s position,” added Barnes. “It was his position last year. I think that since Arne Slot has been here, he has made that position his own.
“I'm glad that he [Gakpo] has had a new contract. I think that he will be one of our more consistent performers because of the way the team plays.”
Barnes was speaking to Liverpool.com in association with Premier League player, PICO and Rezzil,
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