Cody Gakpo will play a dynamic new role at Liverpool this season following the high-profile arrival of Bradley Barcola.
Despite increased competition across the frontline, transfer expert Pete O’Rourke confirmed the Netherlands international remains integral to manager Andoni Iraola’s tactical setup.
Barcola’s second-half cameo during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town offered a glimpse of the shifting attack.
With Barcola slotting into his preferred left-wing position, Gakpo moved centrally, showcasing the multi-positional deployment Liverpool intend to use moving forward.
Pete O’Rourke explains Cody Gakpo’s new Liverpool role
Speaking on the Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Pete O’Rourke explained how Iraola plans to maximize Gakpo’s skillset throughout the campaign:
“Cody Gakpo will get plenty of game time for Liverpool this season. He’s such a versatile player and Liverpool didn’t want to lose that—he can play on the left, as a number nine, and he’s been playing out on the right in games this season as well.
“That just shows his versatility and what he can bring to Andoni Iraola’s side, and with Liverpool failing to bring in a recognised right-winger, he will play plenty of minutes in that new role. That is despite the arrival of Bradley Barcola as well, who will play in his preferred left-wing position when he’s ready to make an impact at Liverpool.”
Gakpo almost left Liverpool in the summer
Gakpo’s importance comes after a summer in which his Liverpool future appeared uncertain.
Manchester City and Tottenham were both strongly linked with the Netherlands international, with City reportedly making a major offer before Liverpool ultimately rejected approaches for the forward.
Having decided to keep him, Liverpool can now take advantage of Gakpo’s ability to operate in multiple positions rather than restricting him to the left flank.
Gakpo has been Liverpool’s best player so far this season
Gakpo has responded to the summer speculation in the best possible way, emerging as one of Liverpool’s standout performers at the beginning of the campaign.
The forward scored against Newcastle United and provided an assist against Nottingham Forest before producing another influential display against Ipswich Town.
Gakpo set up both of Alexander Isak’s goals in the 2-0 victory, underlining his importance to Liverpool’s attack.
With Barcola adding another elite option to the frontline, Gakpo’s ability to play across the attack could prove even more valuable as Liverpool compete on multiple fronts this season.
I have to admit after Cody Gapko’s in my opinion lack lustre last season I was in the selling him camp and I was wrong…Gapko has been quite frankly outstanding in our first three games this year, So thank you LFC for not selling him. But I still believe we need a true number 6 even if/when we start playing Nyoni more regularly which I believe we should be doing in a structured way…maybe as a replacement with 20 minutes to go in games. YNWA
Never a true word spoken. Gakpo has really impressed so far, seems the managers style better suits him. His form should now convince the powers that be to forget attackers / wingers, when all are fit we have 6 without Wirtz and Frimpong in the mix. They can now properly start looking at the midfield and defence, which is clearly short.
Gakpo is going to play our number 10 .. That is his first role when he arrived .. He was the most efficient player in that role then. .outside shooting plenty free kicked ..open space to the wingers and the rest of the midfielder.. ..sobo gravenberg gakpo in the midfield will destroy arsenal PSG man city and the rest..
I was delighted when we signed Florian Wirtz. His reputation in the Bundesliga was immense for such a young player. i have watched every game with him in the side. He is undoubtedly a very gifted footballer. However he lacks the physical strength and power for the Premier League. He also gives possesion away far too often in tight spaces with his little flicks.
The Prem League Engine room is too tough for him. I have thought for some time that the best team in Europe, PSG, have a player of similar statue to Wirtz who is probably one of, if not the most important player for them. He is no more talented than Wirtz, but he plays in Space. An unorthodox no.6.
We rely too much on our Centre backs to play the occassional long ball. The PSG man Vitinho allows the backline to remain more compact and he plays the short balls necessary to build from the back. He also has the skills to feed the incredible strike line they have put together. I have never seen him give the ball away cheaply he is so disciplined. He never tries to play the glory ball.
I believe Everton have signed a young man from Middlesborough who at a fraction of the Wirtz price will prove to be a much better 10. Sorry Florian the Bundesliga is for you. Aufvedersein.
It’s always interesting to see how Osimhen’s situation at Galatasaray is unfolding — with his contract running until 2029, any move would be a major talking point across the transfer window. While reading through all this football speculation is a nice change of pace from curating rapid-fire trivia and memory challenges at Name 100 Women, this kind of deadline-driven drama is exactly the sort of narrative that keeps fans glued until the final whistle.