Andoni Iraola has named the Liverpool player who could fill in at number nine when Alexander Isak is unavailable this season, during the period that Hugo Ekitike is sidelined
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool press conference.
Andoni Iraola during a Liverpool press conference. (Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola says he has spoken with Cody Gakpo about the potential for him to stand in for Alexander Isak at times this season.
Hugo Ekitike is still set to be sidelined for a number of months with an Achilles injury, and the likes of Will Wright and Federico Chiesa have both filled in during pre-season.
But Gakpo is a more senior option in the pecking order than both of those players, as he is more effective in that role as things stand. Iraola says conversations about such a move have already been held with the player about a positional switch.
"I think Cody can play as a number nine," Iraola explained during his pre-Newcastle press conference. "In pre-season, we haven’t tried it because we don’t have enough wingers, probably.
"He understands 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.
"Not only in the past season, he has done it before, and in certain situations, I think he can could help us there in the nine position, yes."
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool looks on during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como Calcio
Cody Gakpo has been linked with an exit from Liverpool due to interest from Tottenham(Image: (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images))
Moving Gakpo away from the left wing will hinge on Liverpool signing more players to play out wide before September 1. But Iraola is confident that it will be done.
Work is ongoing to bring in Bradley Barcola from PSG, with Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Ibrahim Mbaye also options. Iraola has not shied away from the need to add more depth to his roster.
"Some situations are clear — on the wing, we need specific players for that," Iraola explained.
"In other positions, we have to be open-minded to situations that can improve our team. It is about improving the squad and we have good players here."
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Pressed on Barcola and the specific names Liverpool wants after news of a bid for Minteh emerged earlier in the week, Iraola simply added: "We cannot speak about players who are not ours."
Liverpool.com says: Gakpo staying is definitely preferable. Even if Liverpool can sign Barcola and Minteh, for instance, he is someone who should be kept around.
While he is more effective off the left flank, Gakpo is miles better than Chiesa through the middle. Wright is one for the future and Jayden Danns will hopefully return from injury soon, but neither are at his level right now.