Cody Gakpo is playing alongside some of the very best playmakers in the Premier League at Liverpool but he feels the Reds sold the best passer of the ball he’s “ever seen.”
Arne Slot has plenty of exciting attacking talent to choose from who possess an excellent passing range, such as man of the moment Ryan Gravenberch, utility man Dominik Szoboszlai and the ever reliable Alexis Mac Allister. Gakpo himself is more than capable of picking his man out with a clever through ball.
The Dutchman has adapted to life at Anfield and become an important member of Slot’s senior team that underwent a huge overhaul in the summer. He believes that the club sold the very best passer during a busy transfer window.
Cody Gakpo On Best Passer He’s Seen
Gakpo was handed quick-fire questions by GOAL about his career and players he’s played with and against. One of those questions was who is the best passer he’s ever encountered.
The 26-year-old had no hesitation in responding with the name Trent (Alexander-Arnold) whom he spent two years and nine months with. The English right-back made a controversial move to Real Madrid in the summer after allowing his contract to expire and becoming a free agent.
Alexander-Arnold spent around 21 years with his boyhood club and became a hero before drawing the ire of the Kop this past summer. He starred in two Premier League title wins and a UEFA Champions League triumph, displaying passing abilities that lefts fans in awe.
The England international’s most famous pass of sorts was his quick pick out of Divock Origi in Liverpool’s stunning 4-0 win over Barcelona at Anfield back in May 2019. He can conjure up an assist in the blink of an eye and often has inch-perfect precision when floating a ball over the top.
“Gerrard…” – Trent’s On His Playmaking Influences
Alexander-Arnold makes passing look picturesque when he gets on the ball and either drills the ball from one side of the pitch to another or even when he keeps a move going with quick one-twos. His playmaking abilities are his main attribute which is why the defensive side of his game is often under the microscope.
The 26-year-old opened up on the four playmakers who influenced him and how he grew up admiring passing. He told Liverpool’s official website: “For me, it’s always been passing. I’ve always admired it, from a very young age.I was fortunate enough to grow up in an era where the passers of the ball were incredible, so I was able to grow up watching [Steven] Gerrard, [Xabi] Alonso, [David] Beckham, [Andrea] Pirlo, the Spanish legends as well within that.”