On Sunday, April 21, 2024, or early on Monday morning WIB, Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo (left) battles with Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo for the ball during the English Premier League game at Craven Cottage Stadium in London. Liverpool defeated Fulham 3-1.

Over the past two seasons, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given wing striker Cody Gakpo a more versatile (all-around) role. But it is evident from the win over Fulham that playing on the left wing is his best position. For the remainder of the season, Liverpool will benefit from that reality.

Following two weeks of poor performances, Liverpool’s 3-1 triumph over Fulham at Craven Cottage Stadium on Monday, April 22, 2024, early in the morning WIB, finally breaks their poor performance pattern. Behind that outcome, Klopp took a bold choice by making big changes to the squad.

“I am overjoyed right now. We had to make a lot of adjustments. It was not a risk of any kind. We will play again on Saturday and Wednesday of next week. Though that is rather absurd, we still have to deal with it. We were successful in doing so earlier,” added Klopp.

On Sunday, April 21, 2024, or early on Monday morning WIB, Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo (left) battles with Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo for the ball during the English Premier League game at Craven Cottage Stadium in London. Liverpool defeated Fulham 3-1.

Over the past two seasons, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given wing striker Cody Gakpo a more versatile (all-around) role. But it is evident from the win over Fulham that playing on the left wing is his best position. For the remainder of the season, Liverpool will benefit from that reality.

Following two weeks of poor performances, Liverpool’s 3-1 triumph over Fulham at Craven Cottage Stadium on Monday, April 22, 2024, early in the morning WIB, finally breaks their poor performance pattern. Behind that outcome, Klopp took a bold choice by making big changes to the squad.

“I am overjoyed right now. We had to make a lot of adjustments. It was not a risk of any kind. We will play again on Saturday and Wednesday of next week. Though that is rather absurd, we still have to deal with it. We were successful in doing so earlier,” added Klopp.

AP/KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH

At Sunday (21/4/2024) local time, or early Monday AM WIB, Fulham attacker Rodrigo Muniz kicks the ball during a Premier League match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage Stadium in London.

Gakpo has an even bigger invisible impact. Hailing from a versatile background, he frequently moves from playing on the wings to an attacking midfield role. Gakpo is very helpful to Robertson and Gravenberch because of his frequent mobility, physical presence, and technical expertise.

While Gravenberch made multiple trips into the penalty box, Robertson frequently patrolled the left side. The two players who were hindered by their erratic play were able to give their best effort. More of a halfspace attack is made by Gakpo. Throughout the course of the game, these three players were responsible for five of Liverpool’s nine critical passes.

Gakpo excelled in his strongest position on the left wing at PSV Eindhoven before joining Liverpool in January 2023. Throughout his one and a half seasons at PSV, he starred with 21 goals and 25 assists in 35 league games. But ever since Klopp took over as coach, the Dutchman has been used more frequently in the middle.

Gakpo was even assigned to the new “number 8.5” position by The Athletic, along with Julian Alvarez (Manchester City) and Kai Havertz (Arsenal). The responsibilities of a “number 8” box to box midfielder and a “number 9” center forward are combined in this role. He moves with great energy in the middle space.

Fulham defender Timothy Castagne (right) and Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo compete for the ball during the English Premier League match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage Stadium in London, early morning of Monday (22/4/2024) WIB.

However, Gakpo’s performance has been less than brilliant since the beginning of the season with his new role. Klopp started moving him back to the wing position, but he mostly came off the bench. This is the first time he has been given a direct opportunity as a starter on the left wing position.

Gakpo is not as fast as Diaz. However, he can hold the ball longer and wait for his teammates’ movements. He also has the ability to send penetrating passes. As a right-footed player in the left position, his movements are always sharper compared to when he is in the central area.

The key to Gakpo’s contribution lies in being among the right players. He cannot shine alone, but makes all the players around him better. With Robertson and Jota recovered from injury, the 24-year-old forward could be greatly assisted in playing on the wing.

When Robertson was injured, Liverpool’s wing back was filled with Joe Gomez, who did not have the capability to help attack. Robertson will allow Gakpo to focus on the halfspace area. Meanwhile, Jota, who is also known as versatile, often combines and exchanges positions with Gakpo. Their combination confuses opponents.

Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno faced off against Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah in a Premier League match between Fulham and Liverpool at Craven Cottage Stadium in London, early morning on Monday (22/4/2024) WIB.

Klopp also has many options to face the remaining five matches in the league. The formation that can be tried in the following matches is the trio of Gakpo, Jota, and Salah. Jota can provide efficiency in front of the goal that Darwin Nunez does not have, while Gakpo will facilitate Jota better than Diaz.

The most important thing for Klopp is that he can utilize all of the players in the attacking line again. They did not have that advantage in the middle of the season due to injury storms. “I like the current options. The squad situation is good. We need all of them to fight for the rest of this season,” he said. (AP/REUTERS)