'In my opinion': Paul Merson says £44m Liverpool player shouldn't start against Crystal Palace
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Liverpool face Crystal Palace this weekend in a game that has caused the Reds a few issues in recent years.
Indeed, Palace have been somewhat of a bogey team for Liverpool in the modern era.
The famous 3-3 in 2014 still haunts the minds of some Reds supporters, while the Reds actually lost the last meeting between these two sides 1-0.
Of course, Liverpool do head into this game as favourites, but Arne Slot will have to get his tactics and team selection spot on to win here.
Writing in his column for SportsKeeda, Paul Merson has been previewing this match, and he's given the Liverpool manager a bit of selection advice.
Paul Merson wouldn't start Cody Gakpo
Merson said that Luis Diaz should start over Cody Gakpo in this game due to the fact Crystal Palace aren't that physical a defensive side.
"I would actually start Luis Diaz over Cody Gakpo in this game. Palace are not the biggest of teams in terms of height, so Gakpo’s physical presence isn’t really required here in my opinion," Merson wrote.
Paul Merson is a big Cody Gakpo fan
It's interesting to hear Merson say that he wouldn't play the £44m man in this game.
Indeed, Merson is a huge fan of the Dutchman, and he recently called for him to get into the Liverpool XI ahead of the Reds' game against Bournemouth.
"Arne Slot has to play Cody Gakpo in this fixture. I thought he was brilliant in the win over Milan. He also performed so well at the Euros, but we haven't seen the same from him at Liverpool," Merson said.
"Gakpo was going past people for fun and making the right decisions at Euro 2024. I'd be shocked if he doesn't start and as a Bournemouth player I wouldn't want to face him."
The fact that Liverpool have the choice between Diaz and Gakpo shows just how blessed they are with attacking talents, and, no matter who Liverpool pick to play this game, the Reds should be able to come out victorious.
