Liverpool latest: Neville questions Gakpo exit and lack of full-backs

Gary Neville called the possible exit of Cody Gakpo from Liverpool "bizarre" - using the same adjective to describe their lack of full-back signings.Gakpo was one of the Reds' best performers in their draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday - and has been linked with a move to Manchester City - while full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez struggled.Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit said: "It's bizarre, the noise that Gakpo might leave. He looks like their best forward, he's a real danger."Someone like him can maybe not be appreciated at times. I never underestimate a player who does a lot of scruffy things, but he always keeps coming back, he always wants the ball, he's always there, he's always near something, and he does contribute with goals and assists."It's hard to replace lads like him, and I always think when your main opponents are looking to take him off you, that's a little bit of a worry. I don't think Liverpool can afford to. "What's the most bizarre is that they haven't signed a left-back and right-back, unless they're going to go to three at the back with the three big centre-backs that they've got. "If they're going to play a back four, and Kerkez and Frimpong are going to play full-backs, and they're not going to sign a holding midfield player, Liverpool are going to concede a lot of goals. "The two goals on Saturday, the right-back's nowhere to be seen on the first one and on the second one, he lets the runner go from the throw-in when he should just mark him and run, go with him all the way. He's not got a natural instinct to know how to defend."We used to criticise Trent Alexander-Arnold for his defensive work but he is a lot better as a defender than Frimpong and he used to contribute 15 to 20 assists a season and I don't think Frimpong will. "So I'm not sure what's going on there in respect of the recruitment. They're leaving Andoni Iraola well short. If I was him, I would be going in there and demanding something in the next 48 hours because it will cost him. "If Liverpool added a defensive midfield player, a really good one, and two good full-backs, they would have a really good chance."But they're being undermined by a lack of recruitment in those full-back areas, and in central midfield, they need to do something."

Indexed and credited by AIPROPX. Originating outlet: Sky Sports. Open at source →