it’s no use talking to me about Analysis: Why Gakpo is thriving on the left wing under Slot

Football writer Adrian Clarke assesses Liverpool’s in-form forward as the Reds aim to win their last trip ever to Everton’s Goodison Park on Wednesday and go nine points clear at the top.

Player analysis: Cody Gakpo (Liverpool)

Delivering goals in moments of need is a sure-fire way to earn the trust of your manager, so Arne Slot will have complete faith in Gakpo to produce a big performance in the Merseyside derby.

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The Netherlands international has developed a habit of scoring in key moments this season, netting much-needed equalisers with four of his eight Premier League goals.

Gakpo now has 16 goals in all competitions this campaign, recovering from a slow start when he did not score in the league until Liverpool’s 10th match in early November.

After being rested during the 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Plymouth – not even being named in the squad – the 25-year-old will start at Goodison Park on a night when the Reds will look to take advantage of their long-awaited game in hand.

Key to success: a regular role

Jurgen Klopp never settled on where to use Gakpo last season, utilising him primarily as a striker or impact substitute.

On occasion Gakpo would play out wide, or even as a box-to-box central midfielder, but he struggled to find rhythm and a regular role.

Gakpo had made his name at PSV Eindhoven as a left-winger, and he starred for his country in that position at last summer’s UEFA European Championship. After that, Slot was clear on how he wanted to use him.

Earlier on this season, Gakpo said: “The new manager came in, I had a talk with him and he said, ‘You have to focus on the left-winger position – this is your position when you come on or when you start.’

“He said, There’s a lot of competition here, so you just have to show yourself.’ But he said, ‘That is going to be your position.’

“It felt a little bit, for me, like the old me. I feel really good in this position.”

Here you can see the difference in clarity for Gakpo, who has barely been moved around at all by Liverpool’s new head coach.

Gakpo’s minutes and positions played 23/24

Gakpo’s minutes and positions played 24/25

Special connection with Salah

Liverpool’s wide men have been at the forefront of their success all season, so Gakpo and Mohamed Salah will be closely marshalled by Everton.

They have worked quite brilliantly in tandem.

Gakpo has a fabulous knack for arriving late at the far post to convert right-wing crosses, receiving three assists from Salah in Premier League matches.

This clever threaded pass along the face of goal saw the Dutchman tap in against Manchester City, who were caught flat-footed at a critical moment.

Gakpo also made a terrific run in the 2-2 draw against Fulham, nodding home a sublime inswinging cross from Salah.

Gakpo has made a couple of goals for Salah too, including a recent strike against Ipswich Town.

Replicating the type of balls he often receives, this time his curler set up the division’s leading scorer.

If Everton are to take any points from this contest they will need to defend these situations with great diligence, ensuring they are always aware of Liverpool’s forward-to-forward connection.

Only Newcastle United’s Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak have combined more often as a partnership to create goals for one another this season.

Becoming the second centre-forward

Within Slot’s tactical framework, there is often a rotating cast of players who take up positions as their central striker.

The use of Luis Diaz or Diogo Jota in that centre-forward berth – two players who like to move freely around the opposition half – allows for fluid movement to occur.

This suits Gakpo, who often pops up undetected inside central areas during the build-up, or when balls are played into the box.

While he can curl right-footed strikes into the top corner from distance, Gakpo is also excellent at sensing the right moments to get himself a close-range poacher’s finish.

As shown below in this graphic highlighting the location of his shots and key passes, a significant number of his goals have been tap-ins inside the six-yard box.

When it comes to his assists and key passes, you can see that Gakpo does not get to the byline too often. Instead, he tends to angle a pass or cross towards the far-post area.

Running at Everton’s right side

David Moyes has opted to use Jake O’Brien as right-back in recent matches, despite insisting the Irishman’s future is that of a central defender.

The 23-year-old former Lyon man is in good form, but he will still be reliant on strong off-the-ball support from right-winger Jesper Lindstrom on Wednesday evening.

Together they must double up on Gakpo to slow him down.

Gakpo is quick with the ball at his feet and excellent at skipping past his markers.

If O’Brien does not do enough to prevent the Dutchman from nipping inside him, Gakpo is capable of replicating his outstanding goal at home to Leicester City.

Gakpo is second only to Salah in terms of delivering end product from ball carries. He has taken on 14 shots from ball carries, scoring twice, and created 15 key passes (plus one assist) from those situations.

These are strong numbers for someone who has only made 15 Premier League starts.

Liverpool players’ chances created

Everton’s players have plenty to think about all over the pitch as they seek to nullify Liverpool’s threats.

But you can be sure that coping with Liverpool’s wide forwards will form a key part of Moyes’ pre-match messaging.

Salah is the chief danger man of course, but a string of recent opponents have also been punished by Gakpo, who is revelling in his role down the left.

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