Cody Gakpo has spoken about his early stages of being a Liverpool player.
Having seen the success that the Reds had achieved in the Jurgen Klopp tenure from afar, the Dutch international would undoubtedly have been excited by the possibility of being part of it himself.
But it is never easy joining a new side mid-season especially one that is having a crisis of confidence and in their worst run of form for many seasons.
Football, much like life itself is all about adapting, and if things do not go to script you just have to find another way to make it work.
Despite being just 23, Gakpo has a sense of maturity beyond his years and this current situation just means he has work a bit harder to make a impact as the Echo (per Walk On magazine) reported.
“It's always different when you come into a team that was maybe first and winning every game, but it's now in a little bit of a difficult situation.
“So for me it is to come in and show what I can. If we were in first I have to do that and now we are in another place (on the table) I have to do that also. I just try to show my best side.
“The coach gave me a really warm welcome and I really appreciated it. We had a good conversation and now he is helping me to adapt as fast as possible in the team and to his style of playing. To do that I need to keep working hard and improving."
With confidence low within the squad, it has been hard for Gakpo to display his strengths on a consistent basis.
Having made six appearances throughout January, a large section of the Reds fanbase is none the wiser about where the true strengths of Gakpo lie and which is his ideal position.
Here, the former PSV captain outlines where he can add value.
“ I am somebody with a direct style of playing, a hard worker and a winner.
"I'm an attacking player who can dribble, score and make assists. It's a good asset to have that I can play in multiple positions, but in the end I think every player has one position that he likes the most and maybe that is where the player is at his best.
“At the moment for me, I like to play on the left wing because I played there for four years so that is what I am used to, but maybe I will develop better in another position and then play there”
Gakpo talks more about the topic of adapting and evolving his game when it comes to the future.
“I played in the middle in the FA Cup at Wolves and against Chelsea. I like it. It's more in the centre of the goal. I'm not that used to it so I have to develop in that position. I don't know if I will end up there, but (former Holland national coach) Louis van Gaal told me I will end up in the middle so maybe I will.
“I'm learning a lot and I'm eager to learn even more, so I'm really enjoying it. Everybody has a lot of quality here and we have a really great squad. I want to play with and against the best players because this is only good for my game, to improve as a player."
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