Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo both found themselves lining up in new positions during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham
Liverpool’s available players are growing accustomed to being asked to play in a number of different positions so far this season. Dominik Szoboszlai is perhaps the most obvious example, with the Hungarian finding himself utilised at number 10 and number eight, as a makeshift right-back and, in recent weeks, on the right-wing.
But he is not the only player who has had to showcase his versatility in response to the Reds’ list of absentees.
Florian Wirtz has been fielded at number 10 and on both flanks while Jeremie Frimpong has lined up at both right-back and right-wing. Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister has been stationed at both number eight and number 10, while Federico Chiesa has played right across the front three.
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It was a similar story for Liverpool’s trip to Fulham on Sunday where only a 97th minute equaliser from Harrison Reed denied them victory.
With Hugo Ekitike joining Alexander Isak on the sidelines, having suffered a minor hamstring injury, Cody Gakpo was tasked with leading the line for the first time from the start under Arne Slot.
Meanwhile, Curtis Jones lined up on the left-wing as opposed to his traditional deeper midfield role, having also been called upon at both right-back and at number 10 at times this season.
Such changes have been necessary in the face of enforced absences. But with Liverpool struggling in front of goal in recent weeks, it perhaps does not aid them in search of fluidity and consistency.
Both Jones and Gakpo would speak publicly about their latest positional switches following the draw at Craven Cottage.
“Yes, 100 per cent (it affected where I’m playing),” Jones told LFC TV. “I’ve been playing as a number eight, now I played more as a winger/number 10.
“At the end of the day, I just want to go and play and want to help the team. I’ve been used as a full-back, used off the right, I’ve been used as a number 10, a number eight, a number six, a number nine.
“As long as I’m there and I can help the team, that’s what I’ll try to do. If I look left and right in the changing room, I always see the talent around, so a lad who is going to come in and play eight, he’s never going to be a downgrade.
“I’d never say he’s better than me but he will always have a quality but in a different way for what the team needs. We made a change, we tried to bring all the lads in (who were) available and it just wasn’t quite enough.
“It doesn’t matter if we’re playing against any team away, for the talent on the pitch, I feel like we should go and win games like that.
In the first half we had the ball a lot, we tried and it didn’t come off as much. At half-time we spoke about that we’ve got to show more heart and things like that.
“That’s what we went and did. We came back with two goals and then they go and score a goal like that. It’s hard to take.
“If you’re giving away a lead, especially at a time like this when we need all our points, it’s always hard.”
Meanwhile, Gakpo, who had appeared to earn Liverpool win when scoring in the 94th minute before Reed’s equaliser, told Match of the Day: “As a forward player you always want to score goals to help the team so it’s a plus for me.
“In the end it’s a team sport and we didn’t win so I’m still disappointed. Yes that’s true, I thought that (my goal was the winner).
“The moment I sat down on the bench they scored. It’s disappointing for us. We fought very hard in the second half, dominated at moments and tried to create chances to get through.
“At the end I scored in minute 95, they scored in minute 97 – a wonderful goal to be fair. Unlucky, unfortunate. This is a moment that can happen in a game.
“I was just sitting down so I did not see the moments before. I just saw him take a touch and shoot the ball into the top corner.
“I think if you are going to analyse the game maybe we should have scored more goals or defended the two goals better. In the end we should do much better.
“There were moments that we showed how good we were but it is up to us to stay consistent and put in overall better performances. I’m sure the wins will come again.”
The Reds are now nine games unbeaten in all competitions and sit three points clear in fourth. But having dropped points for the fourth time during such a run, Slot’s squad are understandably frustrated.
Next up, they face a daunting trip to league-leaders Arsenal. And having defeated the Gunners at Anfield back in August, as well as beaten them to the Premier League title last season, Jones is conscious that Mikel Arteta’s side will be out for revenge against Slot’s side.
“It’s a big one but all games are big. Especially now when we need all our points,” he said. “Arsenal is a huge, huge game; they are on a great run and obviously they are top of the league.
“Of course, the first game they played against us, we obviously won, so they’ll be trying to get revenge on us. We’re going there with our heads high and we’ll go and try to win.”
