Liverpool immediately placed Cody Gakpo with two key teammates in training. The first footage of the Dutchman is now out.
Liverpool released their Inside Training for the week on Thursday. It includes the first real footage of Cody Gakpo as a Red.
The 23-year-old arrives at Liverpool with a vital role. He’ll be the left-winger for the next little while as Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota fight back from injury – so there’s a need to integrate him immediately.
That’s why it’s interesting how Liverpool instantly put him with two of the most important players in the role. Gakpo is seen participating in a rondo alongside both Andy Robertson and Darwin Nunez – and we’ve got to believe that’s deliberate.
Cody Gakpo in training
Gakpo needs to get an understanding with Robertson, in particular. The left-back – left-wing dynamic is unbelievably important at Liverpool and it’s something the Scot perfected with Sadio Mané.
Similarly, Gakpo will need to get used to Nunez quickly. The Uruguayan will be the main target for the Reds’ new creative outlet, as well as the player he swaps with on the pitch.
Nunez likes to drift out to the left, after all, and the World Cup was a fantastic demonstration of Gakpo’s ability through the middle. Making that relationship form rapidly is in Liverpool’s best interests and they seem intent on sparking something ASAP.
We’ll have to wait and see how quickly Gakpo can adapt to Liverpool, then. Of course, adapting to his teammates is just part one. He’s also got to click with the pressing style and the tempo.
But above all, he needs games. There’s no better way to form understanding and that’s why we imagine Jurgen Klopp will play him this weekend.
Liverpool will do all they can to get the most out of their new signing this season. Thursday was just the start.
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