Gabby Agbonlahor

Sat 31 December 2022 12:00, UK

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted he is not expecting the signing of Cody Gakpo to affect the playing time of Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Merseysiders have matched the attacking depth of champions Man City with the signing of the 23-year-old.

Liverpool announced the signing of Gakpo on Wednesday (28 December) and he will officially become a Reds player on 1 January.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (27 December) that the deal to bring Gakpo to Anfield will cost a total of £82million when his £120,000-a-week, six-year contract is factored in.

Similarly to Nunez, the Dutch international can play through the middle as a number nine – as well as out on the left-hand side of a three-pronged attack.

Gakpo has already registered 16 goals for club and country this season, while Nunez has managed just nine since signing for Liverpool for a reported £85million.

He drew a third consecutive post-World Cup blank in Friday’s 2-1 win over Leicester City but was once again a menace to the opposition with his blistering pace and created the second goal with a scoring run and shot that rebounded off the post before being bundled in for the second own goal of the night.

Asked if Nunez will continue to be the main man, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Absolutely.

“I don’t think this signing puts any pressure on him at all.

“I think Gakpo will play off the left-hand side and I can only see Nunez as a centre-forward.

“Yes, he can play off the left but he’s much more effective through the middle.

“This signing is just going to help with the injuries to Diaz and Jota. If you look at that front three now – Gakpo, Nunez, and Salah – it’s looking good for Liverpool.

“Look at Man City, they’ve got so many options in that attack. There’s no harm in Liverpool having that as well.”

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