Mikael Silvestre, a former Manchester United defender who won virtually everything with the club, thinks he knows how Liverpool can get the best out of Cody Gakpo.
Silvestre signed for Manchester United from Inter Milan in 1999, snubbing an approach from then Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.
He made 249 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring six goals and providing numerous assists as a marauding left back.
Cody Gakpo has caught the eye at the Euros, scoring three goals from the left side of attack, a position he rarely played in last season.
Gakpo’s dream of winning the Euros with the Netherlands ended following defeat by England in the semi-finals. Furthermore, despite being the joint top scorer, he cannot win the Golden Boot.
Despite the disappointing end to the tournament, Gakpo has demonstrated why Liverpool splashed the cash to sign him from PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo scored 16 times last season, a decent return, despite rarely playing in his favored position.
The versatile forward mostly played in attack or behind the central striker. Silvestre believes that to get the best out of Gakpo, Arne Slot has to play him on the left side of attack.
He told bettingexpert.com (via Liverpool World), “The dynamic at Liverpool is different. The momentum hasn’t been consistent and he’s been playing different positions. Centre-forward, right side, left side.
“And we can see that with the national side, starting on the left side and using his pace to go inside or outside of the right back, he looks extremely comfortable in that position.
“That’s why I think for Liverpool he wasn’t able to express his full potential last season and be consistent for them.”
And Gakpo seems to agree with Silvestre. “I have always been a left winger,” Gakpo described his ideal position.
“That has always been my preference.”
