Cody Gako’s playing role: Striking the balance

The question of a footballer’s role can often be a double-edged sword, especially when it comes to versatility. It’s the fine line between being a valuable asset to the team or struggling to find a definitive place in the starting lineup. In the Premier League era, Liverpool has seen several players who exemplify this duality, serving as the squad’s Swiss Army Knife.

ROB JONES: Initially destined to be England’s greatest right-back, injuries forced him into an unexpected left wing-back role before an early retirement at just 27.

JAMIE CARRAGHER: A versatile journey from striker to holding midfielder and full-back, eventually settling as a center-back and becoming a Liverpool legend.

GEORGINIO WIJNALDUM: Question marks surrounded his signing as an attacking midfielder, but he thrived in a controlling midfield role, showcasing his versatility.

STEVEN GERRARD: His world-class attributes were fully exploited by Rafael Benítez, who deployed him in various midfield positions for both Liverpool and England.

DIRK KUYT: Arriving as a striker, he adapted to a right-wing role to facilitate the team’s needs, becoming a cult hero with his work rate.

SADIO MANE: A dynamic forward who excelled on both wings and even as a central striker during his successful tenure at Liverpool.

Now, the question arises: What is Cody Gakpo’s ideal position?

In my opinion, the false nine position suits Gakpo’s style the best at this moment. His attributes align well with those of Bobby Firmino, and having a prolific scorer like Mohamed Salah alongside him can be beneficial. However, the emergence of Darwin and Dominik Szoboszlai in central attacking areas suggests it might be time to develop Gakpo’s role for the future.

In a 4-3-3 formation, Gakpo can play the role of a facilitator between two outside forwards when needed. However, I believe the primary formation should be a 4-2-3-1. In this setup, Gakpo and Dom could share the second striker role, with the flexibility to move to the flanks during a busy campaign. Salah and Luis would thrive in this system, with Núñez leading the line and Diogo Jota as his backup.

Looking ahead, the team might benefit from a traditional center forward, which Gakpo isn’t. He can progress from deep and collaborate with those around him but shouldn’t be confused with an 8 in a 4-3-3 formation. We have the potential to create a powerful player akin to Yaya Touré, capable of using his size and strength to dominate. Pairing him with the Hungarian captain could be an exciting prospect.

This season is pivotal for making decisions about player roles, making it the most crucial phase of Klopp’s Anfield tenure.