‘Seriously good’ Liverpool star set for new role under Andoni Iraola

Andoni Iraola's style of football finally seems to have graced Liverpool's squad.

Admittedly, during the Spaniard's first couple of games in charge, it didn't feel like things were going to go that well.

Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch proved that they couldn't really work well together in a double pivot, which, after they have both recently signed extensions to their contracts is rather worrying.

However, since Alexis Mac Allister is a bit more defensively sound, it feels like they'll now both be partnered with the Argentinian, rather than one another.

But, it's not only Iraola's midfielders who are going to be tried out for new roles this term.

Andoni Iraola wants to use Cody Gakpo as a right-winger this season

The last few days of the transfer window were probably a bit of a blur for Liverpool's fans.

Despite the club having the entirety of the window to find their Mohamed Salah replacement, they still hadn't managed to find one by deadline day.

Indeed, clubs were demanding extortionate fees from Liverpool due to their desperation for a right-winger with Crystal Palace and Brighton wanting over £80 million each for Ismaila Sarr and Yankuba Minteh.

Cody Gakpo's Liverpool exit was also hinged on whether a replacement could be signed by Liverpool.

In the end, this obviously didn't happen and, since Bradley Barcola's transfer was confirmed, the Reds ended up with four left-wingers among their ranks.

So, it's hardly a surprise to see that Gakpo could be used as one of Liverpool's right-wingers this season.

That is, if an update from Football Insider is to be believed.

"Liverpool are planning to use Cody Gakpo in a new role following the arrival of Bradley Barcola, sources have told Football Insider," they wrote.

"The 27-year-old came close to joining Man City in the closing stages of the window, but no deal was agreed, and questions have been asked about his long-term future.

"However, Andoni Iraola is keen to utilise the Netherlands international's versatility by deploying him on the right-hand side, where he shone in the 2-0 win against Ipswich.

"Barcola is expected to lock down the left-wing position, with Gakpo forced to the opposite flank."

Cody Gakpo is in the form of his life for Liverpool

The 2025-26 season is one that Gakpo will want to forget as soon as possible.

The Dutchman was arguably in the worst form of his life for Arne Slot's men last term as he only managed to contribute to 14 goals across all competitions.

However, upon his return from the 2026 World Cup, he's got back to his best and has already got four goal contributions.

Whether he's been used on the right or the left, he's somehow managed to become one of Liverpool's most important players with Richard Hughes' choice to not sell him perhaps being the best decision he's made all summer.

Obviously, things can change but, if Iraola is trying to figure out ways to shoe-horn Gakpo into his starting XI, it's clear that he's going to be a major part of his plans for the foreseeable future.

And, while the "seriously good" attacker in this run of form, finding any way to squeeze Gakpo into Liverpool's starting XI must be done.