Via echo
Cody Gakpo has fitted more into his first seven months at Anfield than most.
Last week's Bundesliga 2 double-header against Karlsruher SC and Greuther Furth saw the 23-year-old deployed in an unfamiliar central midfield role.
Lining up alongside Alexis Mac Allister, the duo were the two advanced No.8s while Trent Alexander-Arnold was tasked with anchoring the midfield
Gakpo highlighted his vast skillset that had been on display during the early months of his Liverpool career.
During Monday's friendly the make-shift midfielder floated around the field as Greuther Furth players struggled to get near him.
Just like the final home game of last's season Premier League campaign seeing the 23-year-old shifted into such a role as Liverpool chased a late equaliser against Aston Villa.
A report on the villa match read:
"The Dutchman even proved to be a nightmare for Villa's defenders with his back-to-goal as he performed the trademark half-turn that has become a regular sight for Kopites during his fledgling career as Liverpool's newest false nine innovation.
"And, on reflection, Gakpo's comprehensive tactical understanding may prove to be a vital boost to Darwin Nunez's chances of enjoying long-term success at Anfield. The Uruguayan has endured a challenging first season on Merseyside, despite his return of 15 goals in all competitions, with Klopp recently citing the forward's difficulties in understanding the English language and struggles to adapt to his side's pressing demands as an explanation as to why he only started three of Liverpool's last nine Premier League games prior to his recent injury.
"Rather tellingly, Nunez's frustrations on Merseyside coincided with Gakpo's arrival in the New Year, with the former PSV Eindhoven captain emerging as Klopp's first-choice successor to Firmino. Such a change to the Anfield pecking order has meant that eight of Nunez's appearances in 2023 for the Reds have come on the left-hand side of attack and not in a central role.
"In fact, since Gakpo's Premier League debut during the 3-0 defeat at Brighton in late January, he and Nunez have started just nine of a possible 23 games together, and Liverpool have won just four of those. Meanwhile, the Uruguayan was only afforded two starts in the months of April and May - which saw the return of Luis Diaz on the left - as his side embarked on a seven-game winning run in the Premier League and catapulted themselves to the brink of the league's top-four.
"While Gakpo has thrived in his role at the focal point of attack and is expected to do so in the absence of the long-serving Firmino, this season has exposed the Reds' overdependence on their renowned 4-3-3 formation. Meaning if they are to avoid a repeat of the struggles from this campaign, as the building of Klopp's second, great side takes shape during the summer months, versatility will be essential."
with Liverpool trialling a 3-2-2-3 formation ahead of the new season which places huge emphasise on midfielders to uptake positions in attacking pockets, Gakpo's versatility could prove to be a secret weapon
Comments