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

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given wing striker Cody Gakpo a more versatile (all-around) role during the last two seasons. However, the victory over Fulham makes it clear that he is most effective while playing on the left wing. That fact will work in Liverpool’s favour for the rest of the season.

Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage Stadium on Monday, April 22, 2024, early in the morning WIB, finally breaks their dismal performance trend after two weeks of subpar performances. The reason for the result was Klopp’s audacious decision to make significant roster changes.

“I’m ecstatic right now. We were forced to make numerous changes. There was no risk involved at all. Next week, on Saturday and Wednesday, we’ll play again. Even though that is somewhat ridiculous, we still need to handle it. We were effective in doing so previously,” Klopp continued.

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

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has given wing striker Cody Gakpo a more versatile (all-around) role during the last two seasons. However, the victory over Fulham makes it clear that he is most effective while playing on the left wing. That fact will work in Liverpool’s favour for the rest of the season.

Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage Stadium on Monday, April 22, 2024, early in the morning WIB, finally breaks their dismal performance trend after two weeks of subpar performances. The reason for the result was Klopp’s audacious decision to make significant roster changes.

“I’m ecstatic right now. We were forced to make numerous changes. There was no risk involved at all. Next week, on Saturday and Wednesday, we’ll play again. Even though that is somewhat ridiculous, we still need to handle it. We were effective in doing so previously,” Klopp continued.

Rodrigo Muniz, an attacker for Fulham, kicks the ball during a Premier League match between Liverpool and Fulham at Craven Cottage Stadium in London on Sunday, April 21, 2024, local time, or early on Monday AM WIB.

Gakpo’s influence is even more subtle. With a background in versatility, he often switches from playing on the wings to an offensive midfield role. Gakpo’s regular movement, physical presence, and technical expertise are particularly beneficial to Robertson and Gravenberch.

Robertson was often on the left side of the field, while Gravenberch entered the penalty box several times. Despite their inconsistent play, the two players who were hampered were still able to give it their all. Gakpo makes more of a halfspace attack. These three players were in charge of five of Liverpool’s nine crucial passes made throughout the game.

Before moving to Liverpool in January 2023, Gakpo was a standout player at PSV Eindhoven, where he played his best position on the left wing. He played in 35 league games throughout his one and a half seasons at PSV, scoring 21 goals and dishing out 25 assists. However, the Dutchman has been deployed more regularly in the midfield ever since Klopp took over as coach.

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.

Early on Monday, May 22, 2024, WIB, at Craven Cottage Stadium in London, English Premier League players Timothy Castagne (right) of Fulham and Cody Gakpo (wing) of Liverpool battle for the ball.

However, after taking on his new role at the start of the season, Gakpo’s performance has fallen short of expectations. Although Klopp began shifting him back to the flank, he was primarily used as a substitute. He has never before been offered a straight shot at starting on the left wing position.

Gakpo lacks Diaz’s speed. He can, however, hold onto the ball for longer and wait for his teammates to move. He is also capable of making deep passes. His movements are always more precise on the left position as a right-footed player than they are in the center.

Being among the proper players is the secret to Gakpo’s contribution. Although he can’t do it all by himself, he improves every player in his vicinity. The 24-year-old attacker might benefit immensely from playing on the flank now that Robertson and Jota have fully recovered from their injuries.

Following Robertson’s injury, Joe Gomez, who lacked the offensive potential, filled in as Liverpool’s wing back. Robertson is going to let Gakpo concentrate on the halfspace region. Jota, who is also referred to as versatile, frequently switches places and unites with Gakpo in the meanwhile. Opponents are confused by their combination.

At London’s Craven Cottage Stadium early on Monday (22/4/2024) WIB, Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno squared up against Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah in a Premier League encounter.

Klopp has a ton of choices for how to approach the league’s last five games. The three of Gakpo, Jota, and Salah is the formation that can be used in the upcoming games. Whereas Darwin Nunez lacks Jota’s efficiency in front of the goal, Gakpo will better assist Jota than Diaz.

For Klopp, the most crucial thing is that he can use every player in the offensive line once more. Due to injury storms, they were without that edge in the middle of the season. “I enjoy what’s available now. The squad is in a terrific position. For the remainder of this season, we need them all to fight,” he stated. (Reuters/AP)