Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo has insisted he is ready to kick on at Anfield this season after spending the second half of last season getting up to scratch under Jurgen Klopp.
The winger has been speaking to Voetbal International, relayed by Soccer News, regarding his arrival at Liverpool last season and the new role he’s found himself in this year.
The Dutchman joined Liverpool in a €42m deal from PSV Eindhoven at the beginning of the January transfer window after months of speculation about his future.
He had spent most of the summer linked with a move to Manchester United and then Leeds, but ultimately the former didn’t make a serious move and he turned down the latter towards the end of the window.
Liverpool then made their move to secure his signature after an impressive showing at the World Cup, wrapping up a deal quickly to bring him to Anfield in January.
He’s been a regular under Klopp since and insists he’s now ready to kick on after spending the last few months acclimatising with the help of his teammates.
“My feeling is good. I can look back on a good preparation and start of the season, in which I played in different positions,” he said.
“Of course, it can always be better, that’s how I am wired, but I felt good and I’m enjoying myself in Liverpool. I came halfway through the season and there’s a lot to think about.
“Everyone at the club helped me a lot, including Virgil van Dijk who showed me the ropes, and I am very grateful to him for that.”
While predominantly a forward, comfortable of playing on the wings and in a central role, the beginning of this season has found Gakpo playing as part of a midfield three.
It’s a new position for the Dutchman, who has spent the majority of his career playing on the left-wing but has been moved this year to accommodate the return of Luis Diaz.
It’s not perfect at this moment in time by any regards but has not failed completely either, with Liverpool winning three of their four games so far and Gakpo featuring in all of them.
With more time will come more comfort in the role, something Gakpo is keen to stress when asked about the matter.
“In the beginning it always takes some getting used to when you are in a different position, but then it is also important to pick it up quickly and show that I am versatile as a player,” he added.
“You just want to play and be of value, it doesn’t matter where. The trainer sees me as an attacker, but I can also bring those attacking impulses from midfield. That’s the reason I also make minutes there.
“We also play very dynamically, so that we have the space to change positions. This often happens naturally.
“Developing myself in several areas also suits me as a person. That’s how I am, and that also applies to my development on the field. That also reflects on how I am as a player, that it is important for me to become a more complete player.”
