Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown has questioned Liverpool’s front line ahead of their vital Premier League clash against Manchester City at the Etihad on Saturday.
Liverpool return to Premier League action following the culmination of the international window raring to go as they face off against Manchester City, with the Reds knowing that a victory on Saturday afternoon will send them to the top of the table.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have been in excellent form this term, bar a few hiccups against Tottenham, Luton and Toulouse, and find themselves within a point of the reigning champions 12 games into the campaign.
After drawing with Luton and losing to Toulouse in the Europa League, the Reds secured a much-needed 3-0 win over Brentford to head into the international period off the back of a victory.
All five of the Anfield-club’s main forwards were involved in the goals for their respective national teams, with Diogo Jota picking up an assist, Darwin Nunez scoring three, Cody Gakpo scoring one, Luis Diaz scoring two, and star-man Mohamed Salah scoring four and assisting one.
Despite this, and despite Liverpool boasting the second-most amount of goals scored in the league this term (27), ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown has questioned their front line ahead of the crucial clash against Manchester City, citing inconsistencies and injuries as concerns.
“Gakpo Hasn’t Really Clicked, Jota Has Been Injured, Nunez Is Hit And Miss”
Speaking to talkSPORT ahead of the weekend’s Premier League action, the 43-time former England international had his say on the Reds’ attacking options.
“Gakpo’s a wonderful talent but hasn’t really clicked yet. Jota’s been injured for quite a lot of his time at Liverpool. Diaz has dealt with some really difficult things this season, we know his father was kidnapped, a horrific thing to go through. Nunez is an incredible talent but hit and miss in front of goal.
“Salah’s the one proven player, he’s done it, he’s been there. He was part of the Mane, Firmino threesome that was outstanding.”
Keown, a former Arsenal captain, then went on to compare the Merseyside club’s attackers the Gunners’, singing the praises of both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.
“We’ve got Saka and Martinelli who are pretty damn good and they’ve been good for the last two years – they’re very consistent.
“(Gabriel) Jesus sits in a box all on his own where when he’s at his peak, as we saw in the Champions League – he was quite magnificent, he assisted one and scored one, but then he gets injured.
“Liverpool probably does look better on paper but then they’ve got to do it, and this weekend represents an opportunity to do that.”
“Gakpo hasn’t really clicked, Jota has been injured, Nunez is hit and miss in front of goal.”
“Saka and Martinelli are very consistent.” ✅
Martin Keown questions if the #AFC attacking line is better than #LFC’s, this season. 👀 pic.twitter.com/C7mpfWB8ol
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) November 24, 2023
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