Transfer insider outlines Andoni Iraola’s plan for Cody Gakpo after Bradley Barcola arrival

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A week ago, it seemed as though Cody Gakpo was on his way out of Liverpool as the Reds closed in on the signing of Bradley Barcola.By Friday night, they were on the pitch as LFC teammates in our 2-0 win over Ipswich at Portman Road, with the Dutchman setting up both of Alexander Isak’s goals and the new signing coming off the bench for his debut shortly after the hour mark.With both players favouring the left wing, Andoni Iraola may be faced with a conundrum as to how to get them into the same starting XI, although one journalist believes there’s a way for the two of them to feature abundantly this season.Gakpo could switch to right flank to accommodate BarcolaSpeaking on the Transfer Insider podcast for Football Insider, Pete O’Rourke claimed: “Cody Gakpo will get plenty of game-time for Liverpool this season. “He’s such a versatile player and Liverpool didn’t want to lose that, he can play on the left, as a number nine, and he’s been playing out on the right in games this season as well.“That just shows his versatility and what he can bring to Andoni Iraola’s side, and with Liverpool failing to bring in a recognised right winger, he will play plenty of minutes in that new role.“That is despite the arrival of Bradley Barcola as well, who will play in his preferred left-wing position when he’s ready to make an impact at Liverpool.”(Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)Want more Empire of the Kop coverage?

Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for news you can trustIraola spoiled for choice with his attacking optionsIraola has been open about wanting his forwards to be adaptable and play anywhere across the attack, and that’s been in evidence in the last couple of matches with Gakpo and Victor Munoz swapping flanks.It was from the right wing that the Dutchman set up Isak to score against Nottingham Forest recently, so we might well see more of him in that position throughout the campaign now that Barcola is in the building and most likely to operate off the left.While there’s legitimate concern over squad depth in several parts of Liverpool’s squad, the head coach is spoiled for choice on the wings, with Munoz and Rio Ngumoha also more than capable of producing decisive moments.Federico Chiesa will likely find it even harder than before to get minutes now that Iraola has such an abundance of wide attacking options, although injuries may well strike as the fixture schedule intensifies in the autumn.Even with Barcola joining for big money, Gakpo will have a massive part to play throughout the season, especially if he maintains the form with which he’s started the campaign, having already plundered a goal and three assists.