23 Oct 2026 08:58:12
I'm as excited about Rios performance against Villareal as the next guy. But am I the only one who can see Iraola start Gakpo at RW against Brighton first?
Here's a few arguments for it:
- Cody is now well rested and can go full throttle
- Cody has performed really well so far this season, arguably out best winger before his injury and worked well with Isak
- Brighton are amazing in transitions. For all his offensive brilliance, Ngumoha is not as diligent as Cody in tracking back yet (see the second Villareal goal)
- Rio can then come on against tired legs after 60 minutes and give them hell
Overall it's nice to have that choice in the first place. I'm excited for the game already.
23 Oct 2026 09:18:22
Iraola knows what he is doing. He will pick the players that he thinks are in the best position to get us a result in that particular game.
Like you say, it's a great problem to have and whoever he picks will get my backing.
23 Oct 2026 09:41:28
I've a feeling Barcola will be rested initially with Gakpo and Rio left and right. Pretty sure he got a knock at the end of the Villareal game so might bring Bradley on for one of the other two in the second half. vs Brighton.
23 Oct 2026 10:10:33
The shoots are starting to bloom.
People talking about genuine options for the right wing and acknowledging that the coach knows what he's doing.
Forgetting the recent past and focussing on the here and now. Great to see.
Bring on Brighton!
23 Oct 2026 10:30:25
I'd start rio looks full of confidence and good gap between last game and brighton game, shouldn't be any problem to him physically.
Cody r barcola on left depending on fitness, I wouldve presumed it barcola on left but if got knock against villareal maybe gakpo starts.
23 Oct 2026 10:36:24
It won't matter which players are on the wings if he plays Grav as a number 10.
23 Oct 2026 10:37:49
Indeed, WDW. Lots of positivity after the last two wins as it helps us improve with the buzz around the squad and the fans.
The thing is that I am a huge fan of rewarding players an opportunity to start that a player has earned after a great performance.
Hence, I would start Rio vs Brighton just to validate his prev. performance and reward him with it and also, let him know the manager has earned his trust, all which are huge for a player's confidence.
I see why people think Gakpo should start but he is coming back from injury and so, I do not see why he needs to be rushed back to start. It's not like we don't have options, obviously.
23 Oct 2026 10:56:34
Agreed MarkP08. He should never play there ever again.
23 Oct 2026 11:53:13
I just don't want Rio to go the way that Saka is going right now, where he's injured constantly and never hits his potential because he's played too much before his body finishes developing. The same as what's currently happening in Barca's midfield. He shouldn't be starting 2 games in a week at his age unless there's no option imo.
23 Oct 2026 14:22:11
Gakpo was known as a versatile forward who could play all four attacking positions, before he joined. So it's not surprising that he is performing well in both the left and right wings, now that whatever shackles he had under Slot, are removed.
23 Oct 2026 15:08:01
Rio won't get the space v Brighton that he enjoyed the other night and doesn't possess the strength on the ball that the others do and we'll need strength v Brighton. If Munoz is fit he should start right and Gakpo left. Bring him on later in the game and drive at them with fresh legs.
It'll suit him and the team better and hopefully he'll put in a similar performance to his last outing. I believe we will beat them on Sunday but tough game ahead for both sides and It may prove a thing or two about where we and they really are. I'm looking forward to it. Anyway all my opinion only.
23 Oct 2026 15:39:48
Well that fxxxs that great tactical manoeuvre of mine. Munoz is unavailable. I'll leave it with Andoni to sort out.
23 Oct 2026 17:03:44
@Alvy I personally think that Saka's problem is that he has reached his potential. The problem is just that his potential is nowhere near the level that the media hyped him up to reach.
{Ed025's Note - yeah SK i believe he has maxed out, was very good a couple of years ago mate but like a lot of players when they sign that mega contract and start to believe all the hype...things can go downhill..
23 Oct 2026 17:30:33
I think we'll see Gakpo on the left and Rio on the right, or whatever Iraoli thinks is most effective; he does like to swap his wingers where he see's fit, I think we might even see them switched mid-game if we're finding it hard to penetrate the defence.
Munoz picked up a knee injury v Brentford and wasn't at training, I wouldn't expect him to be part of the squad. Barcola wasn't training with the team either; he was doing individual work though, so more of a recovery/precautionary situation, I imagine.
Alvy, Saka didn't have any serious injuries until he was about 23, when his body was fully developed. He hit his ceiling is all.
23 Oct 2026 17:35:03
Ah yeah. Now that Slots gone Gakpo won't cut inside and have a pop from the corner of the box everytime he gets the ball. He's doing different things like actually putting a ball across the box because he's been playing on a different wing.
For all the hype about Gakpo's early season performances he'll be doing well to stay in the 11.Certainly at the minute Rio starts on the right if we were playing a final tomorrow so it would be a choice of Cody or Barcola for the left.
23 Oct 2026 19:08:21
I think all current players are vastly overrated.
23 Oct 2026 19:23:57
Funnily enough @Ron, I think Sadiki, the MF at Sunderland is underrated. There are others but because they aren't hyped in the press they go under the radar.
23 Oct 2026 19:49:42
@Shipleykopite ceiling or not, that doesn't change the fact he missed 40 games in the 2 seasons before this from injury. The same thing is also happening in Barcelona's midfield right now.
23 Oct 2026 19:50:44
? you sure you actually support Liverpool Ron?
23 Oct 2026 22:27:13
Or indeed like football?
23 Oct 2026 22:36:06
Oh please Flo, let it go with your repetitive "Oh, when Slot was here." schtick. Leave it, man. The man's gone so give it a rest.
Gakpo is playing well and has been very good this season till his injury.
Can we just leave it at that and encourage him instead of always bringing Slot into it every chance you get?