Versatile but vital: The Cody Gakpo conundrum at Liverpool

Liverpool are flying high in the 2024/25 season, sitting at the summit of the English top flight with 56 points from 23 matches, holding a commanding six-point lead over their closest rivals. Their latest triumph, a 2-0 victory over Bournemouth courtesy of a Mohamed Salah brace, reinforced their title credentials. Meanwhile, their journey to the League Cup final, highlighted by a dominant 4-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur, showcased their attacking depth—with Cody Gakpo making a statement by opening the scoring.

While Salah remains the talisman of this Merseyside powerhouse, the spotlight is beginning to shift toward the next generation of attacking stars. Among them, the Dutch forward is a fascinating case—an immensely talented forward with the potential to become a defining figure in the Kop giants’ future. However, his development has not been without its challenges. The question remains: is he on the path to true superstardom, or does he still need a breakthrough moment to solidify his status as an elite English league attacker?

A player in transition

When the former PSV talisman arrived at the Anfield club in January 2023, he was seen as an exciting prospect—a versatile forward with the technical ability and physical presence to thrive in England’s elite division. Fast forward to the 2024/25 season, and the Dutchman has evolved into a key figure in the Reds’ attack. But is he reaching his full potential, or is there still another level to unlock?

The earky days of Cody Gakpo at the Merseyside were marked by adaptation. Signed from Eredivisie, where he had thrived as a left winger cutting inside, he was often deployed in a more central role under Jurgen Klopp. His ability to drop deep, link play, and drive at defenders made him a useful asset, but it also left questions about his best position.

Under Arne Slot, Gakpo’s tactical setup has slightly shifted. With a greater emphasis on structured build-up play and positional fluidity, the Anfield attacker has found himself rotating between the left wing and a central attacking role. This flexibility has been both a blessing and a challenge—while it showcases his versatility, it also raises the issue of consistency.

Tactical breakdown: Gakpo’s role in Liverpool’s system

Looking at the Dutch forward’s heat maps from recent games, a clear pattern emerges—he thrives when given the freedom to drift inside from the left flank, rather than being pinned in a central striker’s role. His ability to combine with midfielders and full-backs in the Reds’ attacking third is evident, but his effectiveness drops when he is forced to operate as a traditional No. 9.

Compared to his time at PSV, where he operated almost exclusively on the left, Liverpool’s No. 18 has evolved to involve more central link-up play. However, the Anfield club’s system still requires him to track back and contribute defensively, which sometimes limits his attacking output. His off-the-ball movements indicate that he is most effective when playing off a mobile striker, rather than leading the line himself.

The numbers don’t lie

So far in the 2024/25 season, Cody Gakpo has recorded 8 Premier League goals and an additional 6 across other competitions. A total of 14 goals is a solid return, but compared to Mohamed Salah’s incredible stats, it still leaves room for improvement. The Dutchman’s finishing has been reliable but not yet clinical, with some missed chances highlighting an area where he can sharpen his game.

His strength, however, lies in his all-around contribution. Gakpo’s ability to press, hold up play, and link midfield with attack has been crucial. His pass completion in the final third remains impressive, and his ability to create space for teammates often goes unnoticed in raw statistics.

Liverpool’s next Firmino or a new type of forward?

Looking back at the Kop giants’ recent history, the Dutch forward’s role in the team draws comparisons to prime years of Roberto Firmino. Much like Firmino, the former PSV talisman is not a conventional striker but rather a forward who thrives on linking play and creating space for others. The key difference is that Firmino had an almost telepathic connection with Salah and Sadio Mané, while Gakpo is still finding his rhythm alongside Núñez and Díaz.

However, some fans believe that the Reds’ versatile attacker leans more towards a traditional winger rather than a false nine. This debate is reminiscent of the positional dilemma that surrounded Diogo Jota in his early Liverpool days—should Gakpo be the Merseyside’s next central attacker, or should he be given a more defined wide role?

Fan and expert opinions on Gakpo’s future

Liverpool fans remain divided on the Dutchman’s best role. A recent thread on social media highlighted differing perspectives:

• @LFCAnalysis: “Gakpo is class, but he’s not a No. 9. His link-up play is great, but he needs to be operating in a free role to thrive.”
• @KopTactician: “His movement is so underrated. If Liverpool can get a consistent front three going, Gakpo will hit 25 goals a season easily.”
• @TheAnfieldWrap: “Feels like Klopp wanted him to be Firmino 2.0, but he’s more suited to playing like Jota. Needs a clear role.”

Similarly, football analysts have differing takes. Some believe that the forward is being restricted by the Reds’ tactical setup, while others argue that he is still adjusting to the country’s premier division’s intensity. Jamie Carragher recently commented, “He’s a great player, but Liverpool need to define his role better. Right now, he’s floating between two positions, and that’s making things tougher for him.”

The road to superstardom

If Liverpool’s No. 18 is to become the club’s next superstar, he must refine his finishing, improve his movement off the ball, and establish a clear identity in the team. His potential is undeniable—his ability to blend technical skill with physicality is rare. But for him to take the leap from ‘promising talent’ to ‘powerhouse forward,’ he needs consistency in his output and positional clarity.

With Arne Slot shaping the Kop giants’ future, the Anfield attacker has the platform to thrive. If he finds his perfect role and adds a ruthless edge to his game, there’s no reason why he can’t be the face of the Reds’ next generation.

Verdict: Cody Gakpo has all the tools to be a top-tier forward. But will he take the final step? Liverpool fans will be watching closely.