Luis Díaz vs. Gakpo: Who Owns Liverpool’s Left Flank? | OneFootball

Is Cody Gakpo Overtaking Luis Díaz for the Left-Wing Role…?

Following the most recent period in the world of elite level football, Liverpool have once again passed a difficult examination in their ongoing shift away from the illustrious former manager, Jürgen Klopp. Following eleven games played in the 2024/25 Premier League, the Merseyside giants sit five points clear of second placed Manchester City, having attained a superb 28–point total. Apart from the loss at home to Nottingham Forest, as well as an important point away to Arsenal, the initial stage of Arne Slot’s reign on Merseyside has created nothing except victories, something which has been achieved by more control on the pitch and some very consistent displays by key attacking individuals. The fundamentals of the new head coach appear to be about harnessing the strengths of each asset, something that could well enable a new era of superstars for Liverpool. In a system designed to bring the best from a glorious stable of assets, the former Feyenoord manager has navigated this early season with aplomb, alongside a raft of brilliantly performing players.

UEFA Champions League, League Stage Liverpool v Bayer 04 Leverkusen Luis Diaz of Liverpool celebrates his goal to make it 3-0 during the UEFA Champions League, League Stage match Liverpool vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 5th November 2024 Photo by Gareth Evans/News Images Liverpool Anfield Merseyside United Kingdom Copyright: xGarethxEvans/NewsxImagesx

Which Attackers Have Improved the Most…?

As Liverpool’s record-breaking Egyptian King, Mohamed Salah, continues to thrive on the right side of the reds attack, it would be the central and left sided roles that have raised more questions than answers in recent seasons. Following the regression and eventual departure of former world class reds, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mané, it became a stuttering process to find the next guaranteed starters within the regeneration. Despite a brilliant first half season on Merseyside for both Cody Gakpo, and Luis Díaz, each wide attacker struggled to maintain the form of their predecessor, Sadio Mané. Given the bar had been set to a world class level (by the Senegalese international), it was understandable that there would be some drop off in standards for his successors. What materialized in the time there since (and under the guidance of Klopp) was a stagnation in consistency, which required the likes of Diogo Jota, and the Uruguayan enigma, Darwin Núñez, to be periodically drafted into a wider setting. This season, however, each asset within the group has seen his own respective role more defined by the 46-year-old Dutchman, Arne Slot, which has enabled each forward to emerge as a more coordinated entity.

Photo IMAGO

Arne Slot’s Influence on Liverpool’s Front Three Is Paying Dividends

During the 4th round of the recent EFL Cup win over Brighton (2-3) at the American Express Stadium, there was a necessity to rest Darwin for that midweek tie, given the ongoing rib injury which had sidelined his Portuguese teammate, Diogo Jota. In that scenario, the assumption was that the reds versatile forward, Cody Gakpo, would move inside and facilitate a centre role with which he had proven knowledge. That assumption and reasoning was ignored by his new boss, who instead employed the Hungarian skipper, Dominik Szoboszlai, into an adjusted false nine role. That circumstance showed a desire by the new LFC head coach to continue perfecting the wide role of his 6ft 4inch Netherlands international, Gakpo, who continues to show its potential in each outing.

Though that stated circumstance was undertaken in a secondary domestic cup competition (the EFL Cup), the following midweek again proved a fine example of attempting to harness the potential of the group. As Liverpool welcomed Xabi Alonso and his all-conquering Bayer Leverkusen side into Anfield (last Tuesday), it would be in the initial stages of the game that we would see Luis Díaz starting in the central striking position, again allowing Cody to continue the flank. To the surprise of many, the Columbian attacker scored a tremendous hat trick and thereby offered a brand-new option through the middle. The surprise selection came as a surprise to many, however, each component thrived in the tactical aspect and it could point to a genuine favourite in the left forward role.

If Cody Gakpo Now the Preferred Left Forward…?

Photo: IMAGO

Despite a blistering start to the season by the Colombian flyer, Luis Díaz, he may now have been overtaken by his direct competition, Gakpo, for the much-coveted left sided role. Ultimately, with a return of six goals and two assists in seventeen appearances thus far, the man that has been almost exclusively used in that wider role (by his new head coach), appears to have become first choice ahead of his nine-goal teammate, Luis Díaz. I suspect the former Porto flyer will see his minutes shared between the central and wide positions, as a maverick that can offer chaos across the line. After a summer where both players had their respective futures questions, it seems that each explosive entity can be effective weapons for Arne Slot and his squad. Regarding the 34-cap Netherlands international, Cody Gakpo, he may just be the ideal man for his primary position, one where he continues to excel as a more refined and cultured option.

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Steven Smith