Liverpool’s new front players are ‘younger, faster and stronger’ than Salah-Firmino-Mane

Liverpool’s attack has become “younger, faster and stronger” since Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez replaced Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane in their top three, says Troy Deeney.

Gakpo and Nunez both scored twice in the Reds’ sensational 7-0 win against Manchester United on Sunday, with Mohamed Salah also present with a brace.

In the closing minutes of the game, Firmino, who is on the verge of leaving Anfield at the end of the season after eight years, came off the bench and added the seventh of him to United’s woes.

Although, despite the Brazilian’s late contribution, Deeney believes Jurgen Klopp’s front row are now in better shape with Gakpo and Nunez alongside Salah, arguing they are fresher than the former Salah-Firmino-Mane triumvirate.

“They are younger, faster and stronger than the last three on the front lines. Gakpo in the middle is like a new 2.0 from Bobby Firmino,” the ex-Watford striker said during the Day 2 game.

“The three occupy the top row. [Gakpo] is there like a young Thierry Henry with his finish.

“All three occupy that defensive line and the best thing is there’s always one in the middle of the goal. For me, that’s Liverpool at their best.

Salah, Firmino and Mane, who joined Bayern Munich last summer, formed one of the strongest attacking trios in Liverpool history and helped the club win the Premier League and League of Nations titles champions at its peak. Klopp will now hope Gakpo and Nunez will enjoy similar success alongside Salah and the Reds boss was delighted with what he saw on Sunday.
“No words, spectacular football game,” he said on Sky Sports.

“We played against a team in great footballing form. The first half got a little crazy in a way that we didn’t want and then we scored this amazing goal [via Gakpo], what a pass, what a finish.

“In the second half, the start was pretty good, everything was pretty good. United have had a great season, we are not happy with our season but that doesn’t mean anything in this game.

“Three important points. It is important that we perform really well. The best performance of everyone.