Liverpool told to put their £43m player at right-back after pundit makes incredible suggestion

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Cody Gakpo has asserted himself as one of Liverpool’s most reliable attackers since joining in January, yet could a future at right-back now be in the making?

Former Netherlands striker Pierre van Hooijdonk last night suggested that the winger could be moved into the fullback position after Holland’s 6-0 win against Gibraltar, with Gakpo coming on as a substitute.

Wingers and even central midfielders being converted into fullbacks is hardly anything new, with Pep Guardiola seemingly trying every outfield Manchester City player in the position at least once.

Yet for Liverpool and Gakpo, could the winger actually make it as a right-back after Van Hooijdonk’s incredible suggestion?

Should Liverpool be tempted to experiment with Cody Gakpo?

Taking a look at Gakpo’s complete career stats as per Transfermarkt, it’s clear where the forward’s best position lays, the left-wing role in the attack.

The £43m Dutchman has thrived in the position for Liverpool and the Netherlands and was outstanding in the role for PSV Eindhoven prior to his move to Anfield earlier this year.

So why this seemingly random suggestion that Gakpo could play at right-back? A position the forward not only hasn’t played but also is not even familiar with this side of the pitch?

Well, modern football has called for players to now be at least familiar with the majority of all positions on the pitch, with the evolution of the fullback a case in point for this.

It now seems like everyone and anyone can play in the position, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Bernardo Silva and now Kai Havertz all featuring in the role at some point in their career.

Yet for Liverpool at Gakpo, right-back is a position that the Dutchman simply won’t fit, though this is mainly due to the brilliant Trent Alexander-Arnold and what Klopp wants from the position.

Short-term Andy Robertson cover could be an idea

If there’s one position Gakpo could have a chance at succeeding at in the defence, it’s at left-back, which is just where there’s a current vacancy.

Andy Robertson’s injury means the Scotsman won’t be back until 2024 at the earliest, and with Kostas Tsimikas not exactly thriving in the role, Gakpo could be considered.

After all, the winger is naturally suited to the left-hand side and could do well covering for Robertson, who is a more attacking and dynamic fullback when compared to the creative Alexander-Arnold.

It’s an idea that Klopp might have already considered when the defender was ruled out with injury, and if Tsimikas continues to falter, perhaps left-back could be on the cards for Gakpo this year.