Cody Gakpo has disclosed the position Arne Slot plans to use him in for Liverpool this season which kicks off on Friday night.
Since joining the Reds from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, the Dutchman has mostly been deployed as a centre-forward.
However, Gakpo made his mark at PSV as a left-winger and excelled in that role for the Netherlands during Euro 2024.
The 25-year-old has previously expressed that he prefers playing on the flanks rather than as a central forward.
Despite being signed as a long-term replacement for Roberto Firmino in the role of a false nine, Gakpo has acknowledged that he has often been used out of position by Jurgen Klopp since arriving at Anfield.
“I have always been a left winger so that’s always been my preference,” he said ahead of facing England in the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
“But in the last one and a half years, the coach needed me to play somewhere else and that’s what I tried to do at my best.”
Gakpo emerged as one of the standout performers at the European Championships in Germany, finishing as the joint Golden Boot winner with three goals.
His impressive displays have sparked discussions about his future role at Liverpool.
New head coach Arne Slot has confirmed that he plans to hold talks with the forward to clarify his position in the team following the tournament.
“I don’t have an opinion about what their best positions would be with their countries,” the Dutchman said of both his compatriot and Trent Alexander-Arnold at his own Reds unveiling at the start of July.
“Because that always depends on the players you have as well.
“You cannot judge a player on his own, it’s always a team effort.
“But I do have my opinion about where they’re going to play here.
“But if you don’t mind, I’m going to talk to them about that first and work with them first before telling it here.”
These discussions took place after Gakpo’s return for pre-season training earlier this month.
Following his start on the left wing in Liverpool’s final friendly against Las Palmas last Sunday, the Dutchman confirmed that Slot plans to utilise him in a wide position.
“I spoke to him and obviously he sees me as a left winger,” he confirmed.
“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.
“I think he (Slot) is coming in with a new style of play – more based on ball possession.
“I think it’s good for the team. Obviously we learned a lot from the previous gaffer as well.
“I think if you can combine both those qualities they had and tried to give us, we can be an exciting team to watch.”
He added: “I’m feeling good, to be honest. I feel good after the summer break.
“I’m really happy to get back to work.
“Every first day of the season is like the first day of school! It’s always a very exciting time.
“We want to start the season very well, obviously, we want to win.
“I’m very confident. It was a good Euros for me, unfortunately we lost to England.
“It was a good one for us as a country as well, even though we could do better maybe.
“I’m very happy to be back, full of confidence and I need to keep performing like that here as well.”
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