Yet after moving to Anfield, he has largely been deployed as a central striker. Chances operating on the flank have been minimal as Luis Diaz was former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp’s preferred option.
But there has been a change in the Liverpool hot seat, with Arne Slot taking over from Klopp. The new head coach admitted at his first press conference that he has his opinion on Gakpo - who has scored 23 goals in 79 appearances for the Reds - and what his best role is.
And the 25-year-old is at a firm belief that it’s where he has been starring for Holland. Speaking ahead of the semi-final against England in Dortmund, he said: “I will play on the left wing at this tournament. I also played a lot as a striker at Liverpool. I have always been a left winger. That has always been my preference. But in the past year and a half, the coach has needed me in other positions and then you have to be ready. I have tried to do that as best I could.”
Gakpo has caught the eye at the Euros, with his ability to cut in from the wing and score becoming his trademark. But the 29-cap international insists he tries to vary his game. He added: “Sometimes I also try to go outside or I try to give an earlier cross. Then they also have to adapt to what I am going to do next time.
“I try to play as varied as possible on the left. Inside, outside, cross with the right or with the left, sometimes play into midfield or back to Nathan [Ake] or Micky [van de Ven].”
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