One of the key members of the Dutch contingent at Liverpool, Cody Gakpo, has become an integral member of the Liverpool starting XI.
Cody’s 18 goals and seven assists last season was the joint 2nd highest goal contributions with, the now departed, Luis Diaz.
Throughout last season, the winger showed that he is a goal-scorer, he always looks to shoot and finds himself in great positions with his fantastic, off-the-ball movement.
Looking to the upcoming season, I will be assessing the tactical fit and some small predictions for him.
Step-up in Squad Role
Gakpo is now LFC’s sole senior option on the left wing, following Díaz’s €75 million move to Bayern Munich.
With Díaz gone, Gakpo stands poised to inherit significantly more minutes and responsibility in Arne Slot’s system.
As mentioned prior, under Slot, Gakpo truly blazed after transitioning from centre-forward to his preferred left position, ending the 2024-25 campaign with 10 Premier League goals and nearly 50 total appearances.
He’s been delivering at a rate comparable to Sadio Mané in goal contributions per minute.
With this number still 19 less than Mo Salah and less experienced heads in the Liverpool attack, Gakpo must bring that difference down.
Mentoring Duties
Liverpool’s 16-year-old sensation, Rio Ngumoha, is rapidly gaining attention. In pre-season, he scored a stunning solo goal and provided an assist against Athletic Bilbao, furthering his growing reputation amongst LFC fans’ and giving his manager something to think about.
Some may say, it may be risky to rely solely on him as Gakpo’s backup, given his age, but Slot seems keen to nurture his potential carefully and Cody Gakpo could be vital to any progression for Rio.
Gakpo’s experience and versatility make him the ideal mentor for Rio Ngumoha as the teenager navigates his first senior season.
The Dutchman has already mastered the tactical demands of playing wide left in Slot’s system, when to stretch the pitch, when to cut inside, and how to link with midfielders.
Beyond on-field guidance, Gakpo’s professionalism and consistency in training set a standard for preparation and mentality, giving Ngumoha a model to emulate.
By sharing match insights and encouraging the youngster’s natural abilities in the right moments, Gakpo can help the young winger grow into a reliable rotation option while ensuring Liverpool’s left flank remains dangerous all season.
The Athletic reinforces the strategy for Gakpo and Ngumoha, noting that no direct Diaz-style replacement is expected, the plan is to rotate experienced attackers alongside Ngumoha.
Predictions
Cody Gakpo will be the driving force on the left, I would estimate an extra 5 to 10 matches for him this season, barring injuries, and I would expect him to likely deliver 12–15 goals and double-digit assists.
With the versatility and rotational opportunities Hugo Ekitike, and potentially Alexander Isak, offers, expect Gakpo to find himself in central positions, a lot this season, another reason for his growth in goals and assists.
Gakpo will anchor Liverpool's left-flank, and while Rio Ngumoha offers energy and unpredictability, Gakpo will be a pillar in this LFC team for the upcoming season.
Potential additions like Isak may shift his role toward a more multifaceted attacker and will likely bring in more of the creative side of Gakpo’s play, similar to his days at PSV.