During the FA Cup match versus Arsenal on January 7, Cody Gakpo struggled to settle into his role as a midfield player, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Two goals in the second half gave the Reds a 2-0 victory at the Emirates. After many missed opportunities by the Gunners, Jakub Kiwior ultimately scored an own-goal during the 80th minute. In injury time in the second half, Luis Diaz scored to give the Reds the victory.

Andy Robertson, Dominik Szoboszlai (hurt), and Virgil van Dijk (sick) were among the players that Liverpool missed. Wataru Endo, who is now serving for his country, was also absent against Arsenal.

Gakpo was pulled into the midfield by Klopp for the FA Cup match. The German strategist admitted that Gakpo found it difficult to adjust in the centre of the park, but he was nonetheless pleased with the club’s overall performance. Following the match, Klopp informed the reporters (via Metro):

He said, “For Cody [Gakpo], it was a bit more difficult, we put him again in that position, and then the front three I would say the timing was really not great for the pressing situations, that’s why they [Arsenal] could then pass too often.”

“We try to prepare for everything” : Jurgen Klopp

The manager said, “It was difficult, we try to prepare for everything [but] did I prepare for a double 10 and high winger? No, so more my fault than the boys’ fault. We had half-time to see it, to watch it, to learn from it and in the second half the set-up was much better.”

After moving from PSV Eindhoven, Gakpo has primarily played as a striker since January 2023. During 26 appearances across all competitions this season, he has so far tallied eight goals and three assists (2023-24). He has had an up and down start to his life at the merseyside club surely.