Gakpo makes Liverpool admission after being 'convinced' over new role by Klopp
Cody Gakpo is adamant that he doesn't care where he plays for Liverpool after thriving in an unfamiliar false nine role last term.
Gakpo, 24, has already filled a variety of positions at Anfield since completing a £45million transfer from PSV Eindhoven back in January, but the Netherlands international flourished when he was switched to a central striking role towards the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
After notching six goal contributions in nine games, comparisons were even drawn between Gakpo and Roberto Firmino : the Reds' outgoing Brazilian striker who had made the No.9 spot his own during his time on Merseyside.
And as speculation that Klopp could continue to use him as an unorthodox No.9 this coming season grows, Gakpo has insisted that he has no preference over where he plays going forward.
When he was asked where he'd like to play in an interview with The Mail, Gakpo said: "Just to play! There are differences and you have to change some things, go deeper and defend more. You get the ball from the central defenders when in midfield… as a striker you can't drop that far.
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"It’s difficult (to pick my best position), it depends on the game or opponent. I just like to be in a position to get on the ball a lot. I like to carry from the midfield to the attack. I just want to get a lot of goals and assists!"
Join the debate! What do you think is Gakpo's best position, Liverpool fans ? Let us know here.
Cody Gakpo has embraced playing as a false nine under Jurgen Klopp at LiverpoolAlthough Gakpo gave little away over his preferred role in the team, the Dutchman has previously admitted that he was unsure about playing centrally. He thrived coming in off the left hand side of a front three during his time at PSV.
But he revealed last month that Klopp had helped him embrace the demands of his new role; which he know thoroughly enjoys.
Speaking in June, Gakpo said: "Now that I’m playing at Liverpool I think it’s a nice position. I have become convinced that being a striker suits me. It was a difficult period when I first arrived. He [Klopp] said what he wanted from me. In the beginning, of course, it took some getting used to, but I’ve enjoyed playing in that position in recent months."
Klopp has already waxed lyrical about Gakpo's ability to adapt to a new position so quickly. The German said previously: "He is a super footballer and a smart person. I never for second thought that he was only 24, but he is really young. He was captain at his previous club (PSV), which is special.
"And then you meet the boy and you think: ‘Ah OK, now I understand why.’ He eats football, each information we give him is so natural for him to put it on the pitch. He is in a position he has never played before but he enjoys it a lot. We need him there and he is very cool that he can play three or four positions but he has adapted pretty quickly."
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