Cody Gakpo reveals the special ingredient at Liverpool that made him feel 'at home' - and opens up on his best position amid strong burst of form

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Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo says he feels at home on Merseyside – and not just because of the strong Dutch contingent at Anfield.

Gakpo is one of three Dutch players in the first team, with Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch ever-present in the Premier League starting XIs. The new head coach, Arne Slot, is also from Holland after joining from Feyenoord this summer.

And the Reds star is loving life with the Premier League leaders and reckons this Dutch contingent helps him feel at home. ‘When Liverpool approached me, I felt it was a very warm club… similar to PSV but a bigger club,’ he told Men In Blazers. ‘I felt at home right away.

‘The people and fans are amazing and they really helped me. I am very grateful to be here. It was a no-brainer. There are a few Dutchmen here. But overall we are a real family, no matter where you come from. From the moment I arrived, everyone treated me like a brother.

‘The biggest strength of this club is how it doesn’t matter where you are from, just that you are part of the family. We will fight for each other.

Cody Gakpo has revealed that the family atmosphere at Liverpool makes him feel 'at home'

Fellow Dutchmen Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch have been helpful, but everyone is like a 'brother' to him

Gakpo has scored six goals so far this campaign and is enjoying a strong run of performances

‘I knew Ryan (Gravenberch) from the Eredivisie and everyone knew he was really good. He didn’t play that much over in Bayern Munich but everyone in Holland knew how good he could be.

‘The manager knew this and gave him confidence. Ryan has shown his quality. He is outstanding. I am very happy that you now see the Ryan we as Dutchmen knew.’

Gakpo also revealed what he thinks is his best position, after playing on both wings but mainly as a central striker last season under Jurgen Klopp.

‘Before I came to Liverpool I was a left winger, then I came here and started to play more as a central striker,’ he explained. ‘But last summer in the Euros I was a winger again. Then the new manager came in, I talked to him and he told me to focus on the left winger.

‘He told me to just show myself and that was my position. Now it is like the old me, what I did at PSV, I feel really good in this position and I try to show my best what I am capable of.

‘On the left, I come in one-versus-ones with my face towards the opponent where I can shoot or cross. This is more my game, I can be dangerous there.’