Cody Gakpo: Liverpool star admits confusion over his best position
Cody Gakpo made a bright start to his Liverpool career after arriving in January, but there is still some doubt over his best position, even in the player’s own mind. The 24-year-old was signed from PSV after an impressive World Cup for Netherlands and, despite not scoring in his first six games for the Reds, finished the season with seven Premier League goals.
The versatile Dutchman can and has operated on the wing, as a central striker and a little deeper in midfield, offering a number of options to Jurgen Klopp, but creating confusion over where he really performs best. Even Gakpo himself admits he is not sure where he is at his best or even prefers, and he is just happy wherever he can get on the ball and influence the game.
Gakpo’s Versatility
‘Just to play!’ Gakpo told the Daily Mail on his favourite position. ‘There are differences and you have to change some things, go deeper and defend more. You get the ball from the central defenders when in midfield… as a striker you can’t drop that far.
‘It’s difficult (to pick my best position), it depends on the game or opponent. I just like to be in a position to get on the ball a lot. I like to carry from the midfield to the attack. I just want to get a lot of goals and assists!’
The Dutch star began to shine last season as a central striker, although not necessarily as a traditional centre-forward but more in Roberto Firmino’s old false nine role. It is a position he wasn’t entirely used to, but began to enjoy after encouragement from Klopp.
Klopp’s Praise for Gakpo
‘Now that I’m playing at Liverpool I think it’s a nice position. I have become convinced that being a striker suits me,’ he said.
‘It was a difficult period when I first arrived. He [Klopp] said what he wanted from me. In the beginning, of course, it took some getting used to, but I’ve enjoyed playing in that position in recent months.’
Klopp has been delighted with the versatility and intelligence shown by Gakpo since arriving in January, pleased to see him thriving up front, but knowing he can fill in elsewhere.
‘He is a super footballer and a smart person,’ Klopp said in May. ‘I never for second thought that he was only 24, but he is really young. He was captain at his previous club (PSV), which is special.
‘And then you meet the boy and you think: ‘Ah OK, now I understand why.’ He eats football, each information we give him is so natural for him to put it on the pitch.
‘He is in a position he has never played before but he enjoys it a lot. We need him there and he is very cool that he can play three or four positions but he has adapted pretty quickly.’
Conclusion
Cody Gakpo has certainly made an impressive start to life at Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp has been delighted with his versatility and intelligence. Gakpo himself admits he is not sure what his best position is, but is happy wherever he can get on the ball and influence the game.
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