Liverpool kick off their 2024/25 Premier League campaign against Ipswich Town on Saturday. New Reds head coach Arne Slot has hinted at a new role for Cody Gakpo.
After an impressive pre season under new head coach Arne Slot, the Reds are optimistic going into their first campaign without Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp departed Anfield after nine years and over 400 games. The German coach lifted the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Champions League with the Merseyside club. His era also ushered in key players including Virgil Van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Trent Alexander-Arnold among others.
Over the past year, Liverpool started bringing in players for the ‘post-Klopp’ era including Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis MacAllister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.
Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool career so far
Gakpo joined Liverpool in 2023, after spending five years at PSV Eindhoven. The forward was one of the best players at the club during his time there, and captained the team during the last few seasons. Cody Gakpo won the Dutch Footballer of the Year award for the 2021/22 season.
In the past two season for Liverpool, Gakpo has had 9 and 13 direct goal involvements. Under Jürgen Klopp, Gakpo had been used as a striker, and in midfield, something fans and people outside the club said contributed to his inconsistency.
During EURO 2024, Cody Gakpo was deployed on the left wing as he scored three goals and was joint winner of the Golden Boot during the tournament.
Arne Slot makes decision on Gakpo
Based on his performance at the euros, people around the club have called for Gakpo to play off the left. It seems new coach Arne Slot agrees.
Speaking to Liverpool.com in an interview, Gakpo says Slot agrees that his best position is on the left of the attack:
“Yeah, I spoke to him and obviously he sees me as a left winger,” said the former PSV Eindhoven captain. “That’s how I think he sees me.
“We have a lot of players in the front line and you know the season is long and there can be some injuries in every position. So he said, ‘You’re playing there but maybe I need you in another position, you can play there as well. Just be ready.’
“For me, I’m here and I try to play the best football I can and help the club as much as I can with my qualities.”
Cody Gakpo has only played one pre season game under Arne Klopp, 67 minutes against Las Palmas. The Reds begin their premier league season away from home to Ipswich. Slot has said recently that the club is looking to bring in new faces towards the end of the transfer window.
