Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

News

HomeNewsLiverpoolEnglish Premier League

Paul Merson tells Liverpool to drop £35m player for Wolves game after ‘jaded’ display at Everton

Giuseppe Labellarte

Thu 13 February 2025 19:15, UK Updated Thu 13 February 2025 21:02, UK

Liverpool will need to quickly pick themselves up after their 2-2 draw at Everton as they return to action against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.

The Reds were closing in on a 2-1 win at Goodison Park, only for James Tarkowski to score a controversial 98th-minute equaliser.

Arne Slot was angry after Beto appeared to push Ibrahima Konate in the build-up to Tarkowski’s goal, and earned himself a red card in the process.

Nevertheless, Liverpool remain in a healthy position at the top of the Premier League table, sitting seven points clear of Arsenal.

Paul Merson, previewing Liverpool’s fixture with Wolves, had some advice for Slot, including which players he should rest for the match.

READ MORE: Phil Jagielka suggests he’s on Liverpool’s side over something that happened at Everton

Paul Merson urges Liverpool to drop Cody Gakpo against Wolves

Merson believes Slot should rotate his front three for the game against Wolves, suggesting Cody Gakpo should be one of the players to make way.

The pundit also claimed Liverpool should look at their FA Cup exit as a blessing in disguise as it lessens the workload on their squad.

“Arne Slot has to rotate his front three in this game,” Merson wrote on . “Some players including Cody Gakpo looked a bit jaded in the Merseyside derby.

“Liverpool should consider getting knocked out of the FA Cup as a blessing!

“There are plenty of games coming up for them and if Mohamed Salah or Virgil van Dijk get injured, it would be the equivalent of Arsenal losing three players.”

Nevertheless, Merson is confident Liverpool will triumph, backing them to run out 2-1 winners over Wolves.

“I’m backing Liverpool to return to winning ways against Wolves though,” said Merson. “They have enough quality to bounce back here.”

How Gakpo fared against Everton

Gakpo has been a revelation under Slot this season, so much so that Liverpool fans say Gakpo is one of the most underrated players around.

However, the £35million man wasn’t at his best against Everton, lacking consistent service and not getting many chances to run at his man.

Gakpo also took a knock in the second half, which resulted in him being substituted in the 69th minute, with Darwin Nunez taking his place.

gave Gakpo a 5 out of 10 rating for his efforts on the night.