Andoni Iraola believes Cody Gakpo can ease the burden on Alexander Isak by playing as a central striker for Liverpool this season despite continued speculation over an Anfield exit. The Reds head coach has also explained his reasoning behind naming a group of players as vice-captain behind skipper Virgil van Dijk.
Gakpo's role and future
Tottenham Hotspur have for some time been reportedly considering a swoop for Gakpo, who was among a number of players targeted by Reds supporters during a disappointing previous campaign that cost former head coach Arne Slot his job.
After a series of encouraging performances for the Netherlands at the World Cup, Gakpo has returned to Liverpool in impressive form and scored the opener in the 2-0 friendly win over Como at Anfield last weekend. Gakpo is now expected to retain his place on the left flank for the Premier League opener at Newcastle United on Sunday, although Liverpool remain interested in signing Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain.
Iraola has revealed holding talks with the Netherlands international, who he regards as an alternative to Isak up front with Hugo Ekitike out for several more months with a serious Achilles injury sustained in April.
“Cody can play as a number nine this season,” said Iraola. “In pre-season we haven’t tried as we don’t have enough wingers and we prioritised what we need from him in his preferred position as a left-winger. But I have been talking to him about his minutes as a nine, he has done it before and in certain situations he could help us in the nine position.”
“Cody is performing really well. I think he has been since the first day of training very well understanding what we need from his position. You can feel it straight away when you talk to him that he understands the game, he is very smart. He has been one of our best players in the friendlies. I cannot tell you the starting XI (at Newcastle), my players don't know it so I'll never say it, but definitely he is in a great spot.”
Vice-captain decision explained
Liverpool have been without a vice-captain since the departure of Andy Robertson on a free transfer to Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer. Iraola has detailed why Alisson Becker will not be able to wear the armband this season despite being named alongside Joe Gomez and Dominik Szoboszlai as deputies to skipper Van Dijk.
“The captains will be Virgil, will be Alisson, will be Joe Gomez, and Dom Szoboszlai,” he said. “But I explained to Alisson especially that it’s not going to be possible that he wears the armband because with the new rule I think there is a big limitation if a keeper wears the armband. because basically if something happens in the opposition box the referee has to explain to the captains what’s happening, all the decisions.
“I had one season with Neto in Bournemouth and then you have to start every game to say a different player that can act as a captain, and this is not viable. But I wanted him (Ali) to feel like we value him. I’ve had enough time and we will have more time to know each other, but I had to explain also the decision about the armband to Ali because he is a keeper and, unfortunately, they are putting the rules in a way that there is a lot of disadvantages to having a keeper as a captain.”
