Liverpool invested £44 million ($54m) worth of faith in Cody Gakpo, but the Reds are still mulling over whether the Dutchman is a striker or a winger.
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Dutch forward acquired in JanuaryGoals & assists aplenty at PSVStill searching for a spark in EnglandWHAT HAS HAPPENED?
Jurgen Klopp moved to add the highly-rated forward to his ranks at Anfield during the 2023 winter transfer window, with the Netherlands international heading to England after representing his country at the 2022 World Cup. Gakpo arrived with a reputation as a goal and assist machine from his time at PSV, but he has found the target on just 11 occasions through 39 appearances for Liverpool.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesBEST POSITION?
Ex-Liverpool star Bolo Zenden worked with Gakpo in Eindhoven and has – speaking in association with – told GOAL when asked if the 24-year-old is now more of a striker than a winger: “It’s difficult to say. I did work really closely with Cody Gakpo when I was assistant manager at PSV. I saw him come through the ranks. He has really had a very good development. He has got a good set of brains and uses them. He works hard, is eager to learn, but I always felt that his best position was coming from the left – from the left side coming in and scoring goals or coming in from the left, putting his crosses in. He could easily score 15 goals but also provide another 15, that’s what he is capable of. There were some troubles at Liverpool in the striker position, that’s why he was put there. It’s not that he did badly, he can do it. He has also played for the national team a few times as a striker. He can do it, but I think his best, natural position would be coming from the left.”
ANOTHER HENRY?
Zenden added on the potential for Gakpo to be converted from a flying winger into a central striker – much like an Arsenal icon of the past: “It reminds me of Thierry Henry who came to Arsenal and played as a left winger and he did great in the position, but one day Wenger put him as a striker and you think ‘not sure if that’s the best position’, and look where it took him. I’m not going to say he won't be a striker in the future, he has the potential, but what’s important is that when you play in a different position, there comes a moment when you have to embrace the new position and feel confident enough in it and take on the challenge of making it your new position, or best position. There are many factors that can decide whether it is your new future or not.”
Getty ImagesSPACE IF SALAH GOES?
Liverpool may need to find goal-scoring inspiration from the flanks in the not too distant future as speculation continues to suggest that Mohamed Salah could soon be heading to Saudi Arabia. If that proves to be the case, could Gakpo help to pick up that baton and become a prolific presence on either side of Liverpool’s attack?
Zenden said: “It’s a strange one. Who can replace Salah with his statistics? It’s not for nothing that they call him the Egyptian King! He has scored so many goals and been so important. But also, that comes with the way that Jurgen Klopp sets up his team, the way that they play. You could say ‘what would become of Tottenham without Harry Kane?’ Everybody was afraid when he left, but look at how they are performing at the minute – they are doing really well and have added positive football to their game.
"It’s difficult to say, but Liverpool will still be there without Mo Salah. There will be new players coming in, but there is always this pressure. There is pressure on Darwin Nunez for not scoring enough goals. It’s always hard to fill the gap when a big player comes out. Liverpool had the same when Steven Gerrard left the club, but then you saw Henderson come in and was the new captain and performed at a high level. There are always players that you maybe wouldn’t expect from the start, but there are always some that will stand up to the plate and do the job.”