The query of Cody Gakpo’s greatest place grew to become considered one of a number of matters of debate following his January 2023 transfer to Liverpool.
Primarily thought-about a left-winger (the place he notably impressed for the Netherlands through the 2022 World Cup), the footballer discovered himself as a substitute primarily utilised as a central striker beneath Jurgen Klopp.
Place (beneath Klopp)
Appearances
Centre-forward
49
Left-wing
14
Proper-wing
7
Central midfield
9
Arne Slot disagrees with Jurgen Klopp
Issues have considerably modified for our No.18 since Arne Slot took over the reins this summer time.
A wholesome disagreement with how Klopp was beforehand utilizing Cody Gakpo appears to have paid wonders for the 25-year-old’s Liverpool profession. To not point out Luis Diaz’s, with the Colombian proving remarkably efficient taking part in centrally in a front-three while sharing the pitch with the previous PSV star.
The Dutch worldwide weighed in on his new head coach’s resolution in a latest interview with Males in Blazers (by way of liverpoolfc.com): “Earlier than I got here to Liverpool I additionally performed as a left winger. Then I got here right here and I began to play extra as a central striker,”
“On the Euros, I performed as a left winger once more. Then this season the brand new supervisor got here in, I had a chat with him and he mentioned, ‘You need to deal with the left winger place… that is your place while you come on or while you begin.’
“As a result of he mentioned there’s a whole lot of competitors right here, so that you simply have to point out your self. However he mentioned, ‘That’s going to be your place.’”
Place (beneath Slot)
Appearances
Centre-forward
1
Left-wing
12
The numbers converse for themselves in 2024/25, with the ex-Eredivisie man registering eight aim contributions throughout 17 appearances. In 832 minutes performed this season, that places the ahead at a fee of 1 aim or help each 104 minutes.
To place that into context – it’s a superior determine to Darwin Nunez (140.4) and Diogo Jota’s (108.83) aim contribution charges in the identical marketing campaign.
A notable enchancment, too, to this point, on Gakpo’s 137.13 aim contribution fee collected all through the 2023/24 season.
Participant
Objective Contributions (all competitions)
G/C fee in minutes*
Mo Salah
20
67.45
Luis Diaz
11
86.63
Cody Gakpo
8
104
Diogo Jota
6
108.83
Darwin Nunez
5
140.4
* Based mostly on minutes offered by Transfermarkt
