Jurgen Klopp has suggested that Cody Gakpo needs to get into “better positions” after a quiet Liverpool debut.
The Dutch forward sealed a £37m switch to Anfield earlier this month following a hugely impressive first six months of the season in which he scored 13 times and notched 17 assists for PSV. He also caught the eye for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar.
The forward has given the Reds a different option in attack as they attempt to recover from a disappointing start to the season. Whilst he has yet to make his debut in the Premier League, Gakpo was granted his FA Cup bow in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on Saturday evening.
He failed to get on the scoresheet before being replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with just a few minutes of the clash remaining. Klopp gave his thoughts on Gakpo’s contributions after the final whistle and suggested that the forward needs to get himself in more threatening positions but is optimistic of him meeting those demands.
Talking to ITV, he said: “He fitted into the game. It was not easy for a first step.”
“We cannot expect it to be perfect, but he showed good signs. We have to get him in better positions but that will come no doubt.”
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Gakpo's impact is inevitably going to be compared with the immediate heights that his new teammate Luis Diaz did at Anfield - the Colombian having produced a string of electric performances after he was signed from Porto 12 months ago. However, Liverpool boss Klopp suggested that it was unfair to compare the two with the Dutchman potentially needing more time to adapt.
Speaking ahead of the 2-2 draw with Wolves, the German said: "I'm very positive about him [Gakpo]. I'm not sure it's helpful to compare with Diaz impact.
“We could swap around a little bit [last year]. We had difficulties as well injury-wise so he was extremely helpful. That's how it will be in this moment as well.
"Cody gets the same amount of time like each player. You have to settle in offensively, it's not that easy. He comes in from a different league. That's always difficult. It was for Lucho [Diaz] as well, but you don't have to compare them. We expect a positive impact, definitely."
Gakpo will certainly be aiming to enjoy a better outing during his next opportunity. Liverpool are next back in action in the Premier League against in-form Brighton.
They will then have a replay against Wolves to navigate having been held to a draw by the Midlands outfit. Julien Lopetegui’s men thought they had won the match through Toti Gomes but the defender’s goal was ruled out with a contentious offside call.
