Virgil van Dijk has tipped Cody Gakpo to succeed Roberto Firmino as Liverpool’s false-nine next season.
Speaking to the Independent, the Anfield centre-back lauded his Dutch international teammate for his quick adaptation to the Premier League as well as his ability to grasp the ropes of playing in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool attack.
Gakpo has impressed in his first six months in England, and with Firmino leaving Liverpool at the end of this season, the 23-year-old Netherlands attacker could be an ideal replacement for the Reds’ icon, even if it means learning a new role from scratch.
Gakpo has largely played as a winger throughout his career, yet Van Dijk thinks the forward could be the man to replace Firmino, with the defender saying: “I think it’s a very, very difficult role to play and I think Cody’s doing exceptional. He’s still learning, still adapting.
“In my opinion, Bobby has been one of the best in this role. Cody, it’s his first six months and he’s already doing so well, so that’s a positive sign and he has to keep going, keep both feet on the ground, and listen to me!”
Gakpo can take Firmino’s role and evolve into something new
Evolution appears to be the key word when it comes to Liverpool’s current squad, with Gakpo set to be handed the keys to Firmino’s role for good next season in what could be a major shift in Liverpool’s attack, and it’s a change that could bring about a lot of exciting possibilities.
Whilst Gakpo might not have the intelligence to replace the Brazilian forward, the forward’s physicality and goalscoring abilities could make the Dutchman a force in Liverpool’s attack, and Klopp could be about to make an incredible decision in allowing the 23-year-old to lead the line next season.
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