Liverpool Fans Demand Arne Slot Makes Big Line-Up Change After Everton Clash

Liverpool fans are known around the world for their passion, for their songs, and for their loyalty to the team they love. But passion is not always about celebration. Sometimes passion turns into anger, frustration, and a demand for change. That is exactly what happened after the Merseyside derby at Anfield. Liverpool may have won 2-1 against Everton, their sixth win in a row this season, but the story after the match was not about the victory. The story was about one man, Cody Gakpo, and the cries of thousands of supporters who believe that Arne Slot must now make a big decision that could change the direction of Liverpool’s season.

The Merseyside derby is never just another game. For Liverpool fans, it is a battle of pride. For Everton fans, it is a chance to upset their noisy neighbors. For both, it is war on the pitch. This time, the tension was even greater. Liverpool came into the game as defending Premier League champions. They had already shown their power this season with strong performances in both domestic and European competition. Everton, on the other hand, came desperate to show they could stand tall, desperate to silence the Kop.

The match began with Liverpool looking confident. Just as they had done against Atletico Madrid during the week, they started fast. Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring, showing once again why Arne Slot trusts him in big games. Then came Hugo Ekitike, the young French striker who has already captured the imagination of Liverpool fans. His goal, Liverpool’s second, was not just a goal—it was a statement. He celebrated in front of the Anfield crowd with energy that made fans believe he could be the next big hero at the club.

But Everton, as they always do, refused to die quietly. Idrissa Gueye struck back shortly after halftime, punishing Liverpool’s defense with a fine finish. Suddenly, the derby was alive again. The tension was back. Every tackle, every pass, every whistle from the referee sent waves of emotion through the stadium. Liverpool held on to their lead, grinding their way to a sixth successive win. On paper, it was another successful day. But football is not played on paper. Football is played in the heart, and the heart of the Liverpool fanbase was not fully satisfied.

The frustration came from one name: Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward, who has been given plenty of chances under Arne Slot, struggled once again to impose himself on the game. While Ekitike was full of movement and danger, while Mohamed Salah carried his usual threat, Gakpo looked out of rhythm. He seemed heavy, hesitant, and not sharp enough. And in a team like Liverpool, where competition for places is fierce, that kind of performance does not go unnoticed.

As soon as the final whistle blew, social media exploded. Fans took to X, Facebook, and forums to share their anger. One fan wrote: “We need to find a way of playing both Hugo and Isak. Gakpo not fluid enough in the way we’re playing now.” Another added: “Cody Gakpo is clearly the weakest link in this powerful Liverpool. When Isak is in form and seeing Ekitike’s level, the Frenchman has to play on the wing with Gakpo on the bench.” Some fans were more emotional. One simply wrote: “Gakpo… I’m trying brother. I’m trying so hard.” These words, heavy with both love and disappointment, showed just how conflicted the fanbase has become.

This reaction did not come out of nowhere. It has been building for weeks. Ever since Liverpool signed Alexander Isak in a record-breaking transfer, fans have been dreaming of a front line with both Isak and Ekitike. The thought of Salah, Ekitike, and Isak playing together has created excitement unlike anything else. Supporters imagine defenders trembling at the idea of facing such power, pace, and finishing ability. But so far, that dream has not become reality. Isak is still building his fitness after a long break, and Arne Slot has preferred to keep his familiar front three.

Before the game, Slot himself admitted that he had considered changing things. He told reporters: “I consider playing both together because you consider many things. If both are in the best form of their life you consider it, but it is also clear we have a 4-3-3 structure and in the end phase we have played with two Number nines. Hugo can play off the left. It’s a good thing about our squad, we have multiple options, and if some aren’t fit, we can use them in a 4-4-2, that depends on form and fitness.” These words showed that the manager is aware of the possibility, aware of the hunger among the fans, but also cautious. Slot is not a man who likes chaos. He is methodical, careful, and structured. But in football, sometimes the fans demand risk.

The dilemma is clear. Do you stick with Gakpo, a player who has shown flashes of brilliance in the past but is currently struggling, or do you move him aside and unleash both Isak and Ekitike together? For many fans, the answer is obvious. They believe this Liverpool side is too strong, too ambitious, to carry passengers. They want a team full of killers. And right now, they see Ekitike and Isak as killers, while Gakpo looks like the weak link.

This kind of pressure is not easy for a manager. Arne Slot may be new at Liverpool, but he already understands what this club means to its supporters. He knows that Anfield is not a place where players can hide. The crowd notices everything. If you give everything, they love you forever. But if you look slow, if you look lost, if you look like you are holding the team back, they will not forgive easily. Gakpo is learning that reality in the harshest way possible.

It is important to remember that Gakpo is not a bad player. He has had important moments for Liverpool. He has scored big goals in the past. He has worked hard for the team. But football is cruel. Sometimes one dip in form is enough for fans to turn. And when you have players like Isak waiting in the shadows, the pressure only grows stronger.

For Isak himself, the timing is perfect. His debut during the week was eagerly awaited. The crowd sang his name before he even kicked a ball. They see him as the man who can take Liverpool to another level, the man who can add finishing power to their already deadly attack. For Ekitike, scoring in the derby was another sign that he is ready for the big stage. Young, hungry, and fearless, he has quickly become a fan favorite. Put the two together, and you have a combination that fans are desperate to see.

But football is not just about dreams. It is about balance. Slot knows this. He knows that throwing both Ekitike and Isak into the lineup without the right plan could cause problems. He knows that the team structure must come first. But how long can he resist the calls of the fans? How long can he keep Gakpo in the team when the whole world seems to be shouting for change?

The Merseyside derby may have been the turning point. Not because of the scoreline, but because of the noise after the game. Fans have made their voices clear. They want a new front three. They want a Liverpool attack that strikes fear across Europe. They want Gakpo out, at least for now. The decision now lies with Slot.

This situation has created a storm around the club. Media outlets are already running with headlines about the “Gakpo dilemma.” Pundits are debating whether Slot will make the bold move or stick with loyalty. Former players are giving their opinions. Some say Gakpo needs time. Others say time is over. The atmosphere is tense, emotional, and unpredictable.

What happens next will define Liverpool’s season. If Slot makes the change and it works, fans will praise him as brave. If he refuses and results dip, the anger will grow louder. Gakpo himself will also face a huge test. Will he rise to the challenge, prove the doubters wrong, and fight his way back into form? Or will he fade away, becoming another player who could not handle the weight of Anfield?

Football history is full of such moments. Players who were written off, only to rise again. Players who were loved one season and forgotten the next. For Cody Gakpo, the story is still being written. For Arne Slot, the pen is in his hand. And for Liverpool fans, the emotion is boiling. The victory over Everton may have added three points, but it has also opened a door of questions, doubts, and demands that will not go away easily.

One thing is certain: Liverpool are alive, Liverpool are dangerous, and Liverpool fans will never stay silent. Their voice is powerful. Their passion is unstoppable. And when they call for change, the manager has no choice but to listen.