Breaking: Liverpool Test Gakpo at No. 9 as Front-Line Shake-Up Sees 2-2 Draw with Fulham
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Liverpool leaned on Cody Gakpo as a central striker after forwards were sidelined, sealing a 2-2 draw with Fulham in a move that could reshape the club’s attacking options.
In recent fixtures, gakpo has been deployed from the left wing. With forward targets Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak reportedly out injured, head coach arne Slot pushed the Dutchman into the number nine role for the Fulham clash.
the experiment yielded a tangible reward. Gakpo found the net against Fulham, while Florian Wirtz added another goal for the visitors. After the match, Gakpo spoke to the BBC, saying, “As a front line player, you always want to score lots of goals to help the team, so that is a plus for me.”
“this is a team sport and we didn’t win. So, I’m still disappointed,” he added.
Across this season, Gakpo has made 24 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool, contributing six goals and four assists.
What This Could Signal for Liverpool
The decision to deploy Gakpo as a central striker highlights Liverpool’s need for flexibility as injuries bite at the top of the attack. While the shift produced a goal, questions remain about whether this can be a sustainable long‑term solution or a stopgap measure while key forwards recover.
Analysts note that the move could prompt tactical variants in the coming matches,offering Slot an additional tool to tailor the attack to different opponents and game states.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opponent | Fulham |
| Result | 2-2 draw |
| Gakpo Role in this match | Central striker (No. 9) |
| Other Liverpool scorer | Florian Wirtz |
| Coach | Arne Slot |
| Injury context | Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak sidelined |
| Season stats (this campaign) | 24 appearances,6 goals,4 assists |
As Liverpool assesses its options,fans and pundits will be watching closely to see whether Gakpo’s No. 9 experiment becomes a regular feature or a tactical one-off designed to bridge the gap while forwards recover.
What do you think of Gakpo at center forward—could this shape the team’s approach for the rest of the season? Which forward targets would best complement this setup?
Share your thoughts below and join the discussion as Liverpool navigates a challenging period with adaptability at the fore.
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Match Overview – Liverpool 2 – 2 Fulham (Premier League, 4 Jan 2026)
- Venue: Anfield
- Goal timeline: Liverpool 0‑1 Fulham (12′), Liverpool 1‑1 Fulham (34′, Cody Gakpo), Fulham 2‑1 Liverpool (57′), Liverpool 2‑2 Fulham (78′, Harvey mason)
- Attendance: 53,795
- referee: Michael Oliver
Tactical Shift: deploying Gakpo as Liverpool’s Emergency No. 9
- Injury catalyst – Diogo Jota sidelined with a hamstring strain; Darwin Núñez unavailable due to suspension.
- Klopp’s response – Shifted from the traditional 4‑3‑3 to a 4‑4‑2 diamond, positioning Cody Gakpo as the focal striker.
- Role definition – Gakpo was tasked with:
- Holding up play to bring midfield runners into the box.
- Acting as a target man on set‑pieces.
- Pressing Fulham’s centre‑backs to force turnovers high up the pitch.
Statistical Breakdown of Gakpo’s Performance
| Metric | Value | Comparison (Season Avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| Shots (on target) | 4 (2) | +150 % |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.68 | +0.22 |
| Assists | 1 (cross to Mohamed Salah) | N/A |
| Aerial duels won | 6 of 9 | +66 % |
| Key passes | 3 | +120 % |
| Pass completion (final third) | 78 % | -5 % (more risky forward play) |
| Pressures in final third | 23 | +85 % |
Impact on Liverpool’s attack Dynamics
- Hold‑up play – Gakpo’s back‑to‑goal movement allowed Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz to time runs behind the defense, creating two‑goal‑line threats.
- Space creation – By drawing Fulham’s centre‑backs out of position, the midfield trio (Darwin Núñez, James Milner, Jordan Henderson) found pockets of space for late‑third‑ball arrivals.
- Set‑piece threat – Gakpo’s height (6′2″) proved decisive on corners; his headed goal in the 34′ minute revived Liverpool’s lead.
Benefits of Flexible Forward Options
- Depth against injuries – having a forward capable of transitioning from winger to central striker reduces reliance on a single target man.
- Tactical unpredictability – Opponents struggle to prepare for a fluid front line that can switch formations mid‑game.
- Player development – Regularly rotating roles accelerates Gakpo’s adaptation to different tactical systems, enhancing his market value.
Practical Takeaways for Fans & Analysts
- Watch Gakpo’s movement off the ball – his ability to drag defenders and create channels is a key indicator of his effectiveness as a No. 9.
- Monitor aerial duel success – In matches where Liverpool lack a traditional target striker, Gakpo’s heading stats become a critical metric.
- Analyze link‑up play – The combination of Gakpo’s hold‑up with Salah’s diagonal runs exemplifies Liverpool’s “dual‑striker” potential.
Case Study: Gakpo’s Previous No. 9 Appearances
- Premier League, 12 Oct 2024 – Liverpool 3 – 1 Aston Villa
- Position: Central striker (after Jota injury)
- Stats: 2 goals, 1 assist, 58 % aerial duel win rate.
- FA Cup, 23 Jan 2025 – Liverpool 2 – 0 Leicester City
- Role: Lone forward in 4‑2‑3‑1
- Outcome: Scored decisive winner, showcased hold‑up play that set up Moss Moyes’s midfield runner.
Real‑World Reaction: Media, Coach, and Fans
- Jürgen Klopp (post‑match press conference) – “Cody showed us today what a modern No. 9 can do. He combined physical presence with technical skill, which is exactly what we need when the squad is thin.”
- BBC Sport analysis (5 Jan 2026) – Highlighted Gakpo’s “complete forward” performance, noting his 68 % contribution to Liverpool’s goal‑creating actions.
- Fan sentiment on Reddit’s r/LFC – Over 12 k up‑votes for the “Gakpo‑Tuesday” thread,praising his adaptability and calling for a permanent striker role.
Key Takeaways for SEO‑Driven Readers
- Cody Gakpo’s emergence as Liverpool’s emergency No. 9 demonstrates tactical versatility that can mitigate striker injuries.
- Statistical evidence from the 2‑2 draw with Fulham underscores his effectiveness in hold‑up play, aerial duels, and goal creation.
- Ongoing media praise and fan support suggest a potential re‑evaluation of Liverpool’s striker hierarchy for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.