Liverpool icon Jan Molby has likened one current Arne Slot star to Mohamed Salah — but he also believes that the Reds should sign Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon in the summer despite him playing in the same position.
"When Liverpool signed Cody Gakpo, I thought he was a wide attacker and Liverpool at the time had other ideas," Molby said. "Maybe they were looking for a Bobby Firmino replacement — someone who plays false nine, and link-up play.
"But he’s a player that wants to learn and he’s eager to listen, and I think he’s now getting his rewards for sticking at it. He’s playing as a wide attacker on the left and he’s having a super season. He’s a bit like Salah as a goal threat. He’s having a fine season. He’s exploded and shown what he can produce."
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Gakpo has scored 16 times in 37 appearances in all competitions this season and looked considerably more comfortable on the left wing compared to the role he was playing under Jurgen Klopp. Salah, though, is on another level with his 51 goal contributions; he is having a Lionel Messi-like campaign.
Liverpool considered Gordon last summer when Newcastle needed to sell some players for PSR reasons. And while that move didn't end up happening and the Magpies sold other players instead, Molby believes the Reds should go back in for the 24-year-old again.
"Gordon is a terrific player and look at the improvement in his game," Molby, who was speaking to AceOdds.com, continued. "At Everton, he was good but inconsistent. He went level up at Newcastle and has done really well.
"With his pace and work rate plus consistency, it would be great. It’d be like bringing him home. He’s from the city of Liverpool so it’d be one hell of a deal."
Liverpool.com says: Gakpo is having a really good year but he is nowhere near Salah in terms of his importance. In terms of goalscoring, he has improved, but he still has a long way to go to get to Salah's level.
As for Gordon, he is a great player but one that Liverpool may no longer need. Unless Gakpo or Luis Diaz moves on, there isn't really room for him. And, of course, since the Reds made a move, he has since signed a new contract in the North East which would make snapping him up even more difficult and expensive than before.
