John Barnes: Gakpo will play where he’s told to play

Here at bettingexpert, Devang Prasad sat down with former Liverpool winger John Barnes to discuss a host of Liverpool pertaining topics from laying down the law with Cody Gakpo’s positioning, the future of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, the rise to prominence of Jarrell Quansah and Liverpool’s reported interest in Matt O’Riley. 

In this article: 

• Gakpo can’t dictate where he wants to play
• Kudus could be Liverpool’s long term Salah replacement
• Bajcetic can be Liverpool’s Rodri equivalent
• Gordon would be a great option for Slot
• Quansah could be Liverpool’s ready made van Dijk replacement
• Barnes open to Liverpool swoop for Celtic’s O’Riley

Gakpo can’t dictate where he wants to play

Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo had an impressive Euros out on the left for the Dutch. It’s the kind of form Liverpool fans have only seen in spades but would love to see on a more regular occurrence this season. Gary Neville has allegedly been aware of this for some time having spoken with former teammate Ruud van Nistelrooy, who coached Gakpo at PSV. In an interesting take, Barnes lays down the law somewhat and claims that whilst Gakpo may prefer playing on the left he can’t dictate where he wants to play. 

“Gakpo may like the role on the wing but we’ve got Luiz Diaz, we’ve got Jota, we’ve got Nunez so he has to play where he’s asked to play. To be honest we don’t know what to expect in terms of playing style`so we’ll have to see how things pan out during pre-season.” 

“We’ll have to see how Arne Slot wants him and Liverpool to play because he has to play the way the manager wants him to and the position he wants him to play. He did it for Jurgen and he’ll have to do it for Arne. He can’t dictate where he wants to play. Especially because there are other players that like that position too. He’s got a good enough character to do what’s asked of him so it won’t be an issue.”

Kudus could be Liverpool’s long term Salah replacement

Liverpool have been linked with a switch for West Ham star Mohammed  Kudus. The reds are reportedly in a favourable position to sign the Ghanaian forward who had a fine debut season for the East London club. Kudus was able to net 18 goals and bag seven assists in 48 appearances across all competitions. His form caught the attention of Barnes who hints that Kudus could be Liverpool’s long term Salah replacement.  

“Kudas was fantastic. He was sensational for West Ham last season. Even Mohammed Salah says he won’t be here in three years time so that could be a role that Kudus takes on. He’s young, he’s dynamic, he’s direct and he plays in a similar fashion to Mo.” 

“I think if you look at players we’re targeting like Kudus and Gordon it shows the philosophy of the manager and the kind of players he wants at the club. I like Kudus a lot but we may have to lose some players to make way.” 

Bajcetic can be Liverpool’s Rodri equivalent

Following a breakthrough season under Jurgen Klopp two seasons ago, Stefan Bajcetic is ready to make his return. He has been blighted by a calf injury during 2023/24 which has only been worsened by his growth spurt issues. Bajcetic is now said to be training with the rest of the squad and ready to make his mark under Arne Slot. According to Barnes, Bajcetic is an upgrade on Endo who came in as a Fabinho replacement and can be Liverpool’s equivalent to a fellow Spanish midfielder in Rodri.

“He’s an out and out number six. Everyone is now raving about Rodri and I’ve been talking about the importance of a good defensive midfielder for a long time and how vital they are to the team. Now everybody is talking about how important they are.”

“We saw how good he was when he filled in for Fabinho. We’ve brought Endo in and he’s done well but I think Bajcetic is an upgrade on Endo in terms of what he does on the ball so I’m looking forward to seeing how he does and I’m hoping that he can stay fit. That role is earmarked for him.”

Quansah could be Liverpool’s ready made van Dijk replacement

Jarrel Quansah enjoyed a fine debut season. His emergence for Liverpool saw him make 33 appearances in all competitions which culminated in being called up to the England squad as he joined part of their build-up to Euro 2024. Despite excelling last season, Quansah will face competition from Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk if he’s to be one of Liverpool’s first choice centre halves next season. Barnes was massively impressed with the way Quansah carried himself but still believes Quansah has carried himself and claims he has a bright future at the club. Possibly as Liverpool’s van Dijk replacement 

“I think Konate is still first choice next to van Dijk because he’s got the experience and the quality but Quansah didn’t let anyone down last season. He played with an assurance, a calm and lots of maturity.”

“So even if he isn’t the first choice next season, long term he’s got a bright future and with van Dijk getting older he could be the future first choice Liverpool centre back .With what he’s shown he’s more than capable of being a backup and a starter.”

Gordon would be a great option for Slot

Eddie Howe has confirmed that Newcastle and Liverpool held talks over Gordon, a boyhood Liverpool fan who previously played for the club as a youth. Gordon had a superb time on Tyneside last season which earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 England squad. Barnes is a huge fan of the winger and claims that he would be a great option for new manager Arne Slot. 

“We like local players and he’s not only English but he’s a Scouser. He’s got energy and lots of pace, he’s very dynamic and he’s a player that even Jurgen Klopp would have liked.” 

“If Arne Slot is looking at Gordon as an option he would be great at Liverpool. The interest in Gordon is leading me to believe Liverpool are going to be a very intense, driven and high pressing team.” 

Barnes open to Liverpool swoop for Celtic’s O’Riley

A number of clubs, including Liverpool, have been linked with a move for the Denmark international Matt O’Riley following another impressive campaign in Scotland in which he scored 19 goals and provided 18 assists across all competitions as Celtic won a league and cup double. Liverpool have been linked with a move for the midfielder and according to Barnes, he would be a welcomed addition to Slot’s midfield. 

“Liverpool have got Szoboszlai and MacAllister who are the midfield players and if Bajcetic is used as a number six then will he take over from those two? I highly doubt it but when you’re talking about having a good squad, he could be a player to come in and supplement the squad we have.” 

“I don’t know if he’ll come in and be a starting midfielder but I see him as a welcomed addition to our squad. If we can get a good player of that quality for a fair price then I don’t see why not.” 

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