Former Chelsea player suggests 24-year-old Liverpool player could become a winger

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The good thing about Liverpool is that the squad is full of versatile players. Jurgen Klopp may not have the biggest pool of players to chose from, but what he does have is players who can play in a number of different roles – which gives the illusion of a bigger squad.

All of this is not by mere fluke. This has been a calculated and manoeuvred decision that has very much played a key role in the club’s transfer strategy. New potential recruits have always been sought out with the possibility that they could play in more than just one position.

It’s very rare for a player under Klopp to have only played one role. The only exceptions are perhaps Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah. Everyone else in the squad has at some point in their career been asked to play a different role.

The best example is probably Cody Gakpo, who has played in a variety of different roles since arriving at Anfield.

Mark Schwarzer on Cody Gakpo

Speaking on Optus Sports’ Football Podcast, former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer got into a conversation about Cody Gakpo’s true position with former Premier League forward Jay Bothroyd.

Schwarzer admitted he really liked Gakpo as a player, but said he wasn’t sure what his true position was.

“And Gakpo scored at the weekend, I know what you’re saying about Gakpo, he’s still trying to find his place in that team,” Schwarzer said. “But I still think he’s a real handful. I agree with you that Jota’s going to be their biggest loss and he’s probably their biggest concern in terms of how long he’s out injured.”

Bothroyd echoed those sentiments.

“What position is Gakpo? I’m not convinced he’s a striker, I think he’s a 10 maybe?”

Which is when Schwarzer suggested the 24-year-old Liverpool player could even play out wide as a winger for Liverpool in the future. Something we haven’t really seen Gakpo do often since he joined the club.

“Yeah, I think he’s a 10, potentially even as a wide player tucking in or letting to get in around the outside.

“He’s quick enough, and he’s got the height, so I think he’s a big talent in the making, that’s why they signed him in the first place.

“But, we haven’t seen anywhere near his best form.”