News'I think I can be dangerous' – Cody Gakpo analyses return to left-sided role

Signed in January 2023, the Netherlands international was largely used centrally by Jürgen Klopp during his first 18 months on Merseyside.

Since the appointment of Slot as head coach in the summer, though, Gakpo’s regular position has been from the flank, in rotation with Luis Diaz.

The No.18 has supplied six goals and two assists so far while appearing in every fixture this season, as the Reds have taken top spot in both the Premier League and Champions League and reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Speaking about the switch, he told Men in Blazers: “Before I came to Liverpool I also played as a left winger. Then I came here and I started to play more as a central striker.

“At the Euros, I played as a left winger again. Then this season the new manager came in, I had a talk with him and he said, ‘You have to focus on the left winger position... this is your position when you come on or when you start.’

“Because he said there’s a lot of competition here, so you just have to show yourself. But he said, ‘That is going to be your position.’

“It felt a little bit, for me, like the old me, like what I did at PSV [Eindhoven] as well. I feel really good in this position. I try to show my best to everybody, what I’m capable of.

“I think I come into more one-v-ones now with my face towards the opponent, where I can really go inside and give a cross, shoot or go outside and give a cross – which is more my game, I would say, and where I think I can be really dangerous and help the team the most.”

A softly spoken and humble character off the field, Gakpo’s mentality changes to ultra-competitiveness whenever he takes to the pitch.

Having claimed a Carabao Cup winner’s medal with Liverpool last term, the 25-year-old is eager for that fighting spirit to help bring more success to the club.

“I see those [as] separate,” he said. “When I’m on the pitch, [I’m] really there to win the game, to show my quality.

“I think one of my qualities is going inside and going for a goal or maybe going for an assist. As an attacking player, I think that’s also part of the job.

“Outside of the pitch, I tend to be a different guy – it’s more about life and development, mental growth, health growth with family, with friends. I just try to be myself and I’m very happy that people speak so nicely of me, so thank you everybody!

“Obviously when you come on the pitch, it’s game on. You have to think a little bit different – maybe not that nice in some ways because you have to win. But for me, it will never be personal.

“Out there, [I’m] just trying to do my best for the club and to win these games for the fans, for myself, for the team. When the referee blows the last whistle then the switch flips again and then I’m back to normal again.”