Rio Ferdinand says Liverpool player who looked ‘like a lost child’ last year has become ‘important’ under Arne Slot

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Arne Slot has led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season in charge of the Reds, a feat no fan saw coming.

The Dutch head coach was appointed to succeed Jurgen Klopp last summer, with Slot since proving himself to be the perfect manager for Liverpool, with the former Feyenoord man leading the Anfield side to only their second-ever Premier League title.

With Slot making small tweaks to help Liverpool to the championship, the 46-year-old Dutchman evolved Klopp’s squad into one of the best in Europe by making small changes to certain players, all culminating in a team that was good enough to win the title by some distance.

Indeed, fans have seen a number of Liverpool players hit new heights under Slot, and Rio Ferdinand has now highlighted one such name who has become an ‘important’ figure for the Reds this season.

READ MORE: All the best photos as Arne Slot and the Liverpool squad celebrate winning the Premier League at Anfield

Rio Ferdinand praises Cody Gakpo’s development under Arne Slot

Speaking on Rio Presents, the former Manchester United defender lauded Cody Gakpo for blooming under Slot, with the Dutch international on course to enjoy his best and most productive year yet with the Reds.

Gakpo has emerged as Liverpool’s main left-sided attacker, even with Luis Diaz also enjoying a great year for the Reds, with the former PSV Eindhoven man coming up clutch with some big goals across the season.

And Ferdinand has been very impressed with what he’s seen from the Dutch international, with the pundit saying about Liverpool’s title win: “They deserved it, they’ve got the best players in the league in Van Dijk and Salah, they’ve absolutely produced.

“They’ve got a manager who’s really sensible and shrewd, he hasn’t tried to change the wheels too much and he’s made things really clear and understandable for the players. It’s improved individuals, you’ve got Gakpo, who looked a bit like a lost child at times, who now looks really solid this year and has scored big important goals this season.”

Cody Gakpo can finally become Liverpool’s successor to Sadio Mane

Gakpo was brought in shortly after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the attacker since enjoying a steady and satisfying climb from a forward with an unknown future at Liverpool to a player who could start the opening game of next season.

And after hitting 23 goal contributions in all competitions, Gakpo could be finally ready to become Liverpool’s successor to Sadio Mane, a player the Reds have really yet to replace since the winger’s exit in the summer of 2022.

Slot has got the best out of Gakpo this season, and heading into the new campaign, the 25-year-old will want to take his game to another level, especially if the winger is once again named as the starting left-sided attacker.