Stan Collymore tells Liverpool to trade Cody Gakpo for Ivan Toney
In what will surely not come across as a piece of smart transfer business, former Red Stan Collymore suggests Liverpool have a look at Brentford striker Ivan Toney. Not that his suggestion is bad, but he tells the Reds to let go of a figure like Cody Gakpo to secure the services of Toney, who only recently returned to competitive football action against Nottingham Forest following the end of his eight-month-long ban for breach of betting rules.
Here is what Collymore told Caught Offside about his plan of swapping Gakpo for Toney:
“Liverpool will likely look at him and say ‘Not for us’ but if I was the Reds, I would genuinely be inclined to let Gakpo go, who I don’t think will go on to become a prolific Liverpool striker, and replace him with Toney,”
One thing we can surely give Collymore credit for is the fact that he has rightly identified that Gakpo will not go on to become a prolific Liverpool striker. Why you ask? He’s a bloody winger. Even though his versatility means he can slot in comfortably anywhere across the frontline, we all know he’s best as a winger. If you don’t, here are some stats from Transfermarkt. 73 goals and 58 assists while playing off the left (168 apps). 21 goals and seven assists while playing up front (52 apps).
Liverpool have Diogo Jota upfront, by far the most clinical player the Reds have had since Robbie Fowler. Liverpool also have Darwin Nunez upfront. Off the left, we have Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo. Right-wing is where we do not have multiple options. It is only Mohamed Salah. Can Ivan Toney play an understudy to Mo and play off the right? Toney has played as a right-winger during his time at Northampton Town. When was that you ask? Back in 2014-15.
No Need of To-Ney!
What Liverpool need is only an understudy to Mo who can learn everything he can from The Egyptian King, and when the time comes, take the baton over and make that position his very own. Toney cannot play down the right, and the solution is simple. Toney is not someone Liverpool should look to sign, at least at the moment. [only because you can never say never in football].
As the transfer saga unfolds, with rumours spinning and surprises galore, Collymore’s suggestion makes very little sense football-wise. The stage is set for a transfer tango, but as the drama intensifies, it becomes apparent that Gakpo’s stellar wing theatrics should remain a fixture, while Liverpool scouts for the perfect star to illuminate the right side of their attack.
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But as we grab our popcorn and watch this transfer tango, the script seems to call for Gakpo’s stellar wing theatrics to stay put, while Liverpool scouts the right star for the empty stage on the right. Right? All right. The Reds’ present attack has enough legs and you can bet on the fact that we don’t need any more toes or knees.
