Cody Gakpo could help Luis Diaz with return to favoured position

Cody Gakpo has grown massively into this Liverpool side since his arrival from PSV Eindhoven in the January transfer window.

An impressive time in the Netherlands, as well as captaining PSV at the age of 23, made it impossible for the big sides to ignore the Dutch forward's fast rise in football.

In the months before making the mid-season switch to the Reds, Gakpo had already scored nine times in 11 league matches for PSV before netting three times for the Netherlands national side in the Qatar World Cup.

Gakpo was one of the stars for the side who were knocked out by Argentina in a fiery quarter-final encounter and looked certain to move to Manchester United – before Liverpool made their move.

A fee of around £40m was reported for Gakpo in what now looks like one of the rare bargains in the Premier League. However, what Liverpool fans are yet to see from their Dutch attacker is him deployed in his favourite position – left wing.

There are two reasons for this. One, Jurgen Klopp views Gakpo as the successor for the style Roberto Firmino brought to the Liverpool side, as a linking false nine, and two, his favoured role is currently occupied by the trickery of Luis Diaz.

However, what Gakpo's versatility does bring is a huge chance to change up the starting XI heading into the increasingly packed winter schedule.

There’s nothing better than having options, especially when the team plays as many games as Liverpool likely will this season.

Being able to chop and change your side when players are not showing their best form or are in need of a rest is a recipe to winning honours.

Right now, it is getting harder and harder to leave Darwin Nuñez out of the front three, while Mohamed Salah starts every game he is available for. Luis Diaz, meanwhile, was brilliant for Liverpool in the opening weeks of the season, but has recently shown signs of his performances dipping – which is perfectly normal in a long campaign.

The Reds number seven has been a near ever-present while also playing a starring role for Colombia during every international break.

After missing most of last season with a serious knee injury, Diaz is once again finding his feet in the Liverpool starting XI and he brings so much to the side. His direct running at the opposition right-back is a great asset for the Reds when trying to unlock defences – just ask Ashley Young.

However, his goal contribution numbers need improving on and competition from Gakpo in that role could help unlock an even better Diaz.

Gakpo returned from the knee injury he picked up against Tottenham last month in the 5-1 win over Toulouse in the Europa League on Thursday night at Anfield and could be a better option start in the match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.

This is nothing against Diaz, but it would do him no harm in having a rest and knowing it is not a given he starts every week on the left of the attacking three. Also, what a substitute that is for Klopp to bring on in the second half of matches when the opposition are tiring!

Liverpool have three games in the league coming up that are must win heading in to that all-important clash at the Etihad against Manchester City at the end of November (after yet another international break).

Having high-quality options in every position like Diaz and Gakpo is a reason why Liverpool can go all the way this season.

Klopp and the players have made it clear how much they want to improve on what Liverpool had shown last season in terms of results and performances.

They certainly have the quality in the squad to do so as the season really begins to gather pace.

Now Klopp must show he can manage such talented options intelligently.