Frank de Boer reveals the best position for Liverpool new boy Cody Gakpo
Former Ajax Amsterdam and FC Barcelona defender Frank de Boer, while speaking to talkSPORT (h/t Liverpool Echo) was all praise for Liverpool star Cody Gakpo and gives his insights on where the Dutchman could be at his best.
Gakpo was having a sensational season with PSV Eindhoven before continuing the rich vein of form at the FIFA World Cup for his national side. He scored three goals in five appearances at the tournament.
Many predicted Gakpo to leave the Eredivisie in search of top-flight football and our rivals Manchester United were actually the favourites to sign him.
However, to our gain and their loss, Liverpool saw an opportunity where Manchester United were taking time to act and capitalised on it. None can argue that Liverpool move like the wind when they want.
For a fee touted in the region of £40m, we are getting a young player capable of playing either from the left or middle while coming off an awe-inspiring season, hence there was no shortage of suitors.
De Boer believes the best position for his fellow Dutchman is coming off the left and cutting inside, which would help Liverpool ease the pain of the long-term injury to Luis Diaz.
“I think it’s important for him, he’s better when he starts on the left and comes inside.
I think Liverpool plays a little bit like that, I remember [Luis] Diaz playing there, who is also by the way an exceptional talent.
So when he is fit he will have to fight for that spot. In the meanwhile, he [Gakpo] can grow in that role, I think Liverpool needs a player like that on that side at the moment. I think for me, this is the best choice he could have made at this moment.”
Gakpo’s best moments with his club actually came while playing as a wide forward where he has the space to get in one v one position and go either way.
His goal contributions are not bettered by anyone in Europe currently with the forward bagging 13 goals and 17 assists to his name in just 24 appearances for PSV.
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Definitely, the level and intensity of play will be much higher when he represents Liverpool in the Premier League but his outing with the national team has shown that he is more than capable of handling the pressure.
It was a very good Christmas present from the Board to us and hopefully, Gakpo settles in nicely and quickly and creates a similar impact as Diaz created last year when he joined the club in January.
