Andoni Iraola delivers his opinion on Cody Gakpo’s level in Liverpool training after links with Tottenham
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Cody Gakpo is almost certain to begin the season as Liverpool’s primary left winger despite being heavily linked with a move to Tottenham.The Dutchman could be the main victim of Liverpool‘s push to sign new wingers, and if Bradley Barcola arrives on the left of the attack, there is a feeling that he could leave for Spurs.However, when asked about the potential of Gakpo leaving during his first press conference of the season on Friday, Andoni Iraola was hugely positive about the 27-year-old, hinting that he is counting on him not only for the wing, but in a central striking position as well. Dominik Szoboszlai was the man to beat last season… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Simon Stacpoole/Offside Iraola is delighted with Gakpo’s pre-seasonDespite the rumours swirling around him, Gakpo has quietly had a really good pre-season for Liverpool.He scored and expertly assisted the goals during the Reds’ 2-0 win over Como last weekend, and he has generally looked a more explosive, threatening version of himself.When asked about the chances of Gakpo leaving during Friday’s pre-Newcastle meeting with the press, Iraola praised what he’s seen from the No.
READ MORE: Andoni Iraola has two big decisions to make about Liverpool’s XI in Premier League opener vs NewcastlePhoto by Jan Kruger/Getty Images“You can feel straight away he understands the game, he’s very smart and he’s been one of our best players in the friendlies.”Pushed further on Gakpo later in the interview, and asked whether he sees the former PSV Eindhoven captain as a potential option at No. 9, Iraola said that he definitely could play him centrally, but first wanted him to understand what is needed from a wide forward in Liverpool’s new system.“I think Cody can play as a number nine.
We haven’t tried it probably because we don’t have enough wingers, so we’ve prioritised that he understands what we need from him from his preferred position as a left winger,” he said. He’s done it before and in certain situations I think he could help us there, yes.”Though it could still be that Gakpo ends up leaving anyway, the way Iraola spoke about him on Friday did not sound at all like a player who is on the way out of the door.