"He should be starting", "You can see the preferences for the Dutch" - Liverpool fans question Slot's decision to bench star for Leipzig clash

Fans on social media have raised questions about Liverpool manager Arne Slot's decision to start Cody Gakpo ahead of Luis Díaz for their UEFA Champions League clash against RB Leipzig. The match is currently ongoing at the Red Bull Arena in Germany.

Arne Slot opted for Cody Gakpo on the left wing instead of Luis Díaz, who has registered five goals and one assist in eight Premier League games so far this season. The Colombian winger also appeared in both of the previous Champions League clashes and started one of them.

Cody Gakpo, meanwhile, has started only two league matches while appearing in all eight and has provided only one assist. The 25-year-old Dutchman has registered one assist so far in the 2024-25 Champions League.

Fans took to social media and shared their opinions on Arne Slot benching Luis Díaz against RB Leipzig in Liverpool's third UEFA Champions League clash of the season. Here are some of their reactions on X:

"No. Luis Diaz should be starting. Specially with Gakpo’s last performance," a fan wrote.

Another added:

"Why does Salah if he doesn't have to rest and Luis Díaz does? There are many players who have started several games, you can see the preferences for the Dutch, LIVERPOOL ZZZ."

"I thought Diaz was guaranteed to start," wrote another.

One account tweeted:

"Diaz struggling to get back in starting lineup nowadays??"

Another posted:

"But why is Luiz Diaz at bench?"

"So all of a sudden inform Diaz never plays," posted another.

One user wrote:

"Why isn’t Diaz starting games?? Gakpo really doesn’t excite me at all Thought he was really poor against Chelsea"

While another wrote:

"Arne Slot keeps dropping Diaz. Terrible move. Dutch manager prefers his dutch Gakpo over Diaz. Shameful."

Luis Díaz, who arrived at Anfield on a five-year contract in 2022, has netted 29 goals and provided 14 assists in 108 appearances for Liverpool so far.

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot talks about new UCL format before clash against RB Leipzig

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot shared his thoughts on his squad facing RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League. The Dutchman explained the importance of performing well against the Bundesliga club in order to maintain momentum. He said (via the club's official website):

"I never think it is a good idea to lose a game. No matter where you are in the season – it is always better to get the best possible result and that’s also what we are trying to bring in tomorrow. We look at it game by game and we try to bring out the best possible team for tomorrow, for the competition we face in Leipzig, who are doing really well in the Bundesliga."

When asked his opinion on the new Champions League format after two matches, the Liverpool boss said:

"I don’t think you can have a fair opinion yet because we’re only two games into the Champions League now. If you would say to me, ‘Tell me what you think about it’, because I want to have an answer, I tell you, ‘OK, I like it...’ but that is only to do with us having six points out of two games! It has nothing to do with the format. We have to wait and see what the end result of this format is, but you can only judge that after the group stage is done and then see if me, or you or the fans like this new format."

Liverpool are currently on top of the Premier League table with 21 points from eight matches. They face Arsenal next in the league on Sunday, October 27, at the Emirates Stadium. The Reds have won both clashes in the Champions League so far.