Cody Gakpo registered two assists from the left wing as the Netherlands defeated Scotland 4-0 on Friday. And that’s where he needs to be deployed for Liverpool.
The Cody Gakpo debate. There’s been plenty of discussion over the Netherlands forward over the past week, but his performance against Scotland on Friday has provided a clue as to where his long-term future should be in Liverpool’s system.
He helped his side to a 4-0 victory over the Andy Robertson-led side, registering two assists in the process. Back in his preferred position on the left flank, Gakpo was able to make much more of an impact on the game, with one of his assists a well-aimed cross that Darwin Núñez would benefit from.
If Jürgen Klopp was watching, there’s a chance that Gakpo is already being considered for a position switch.
Despite the criticism on social media, with some even coming from Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, Gakpo can still provide value to this Liverpool team. On one side of the debate are those that think his style of play is simply too slow to succeed on Merseyside. There are times when you would hope he is more incisive with his final ball, but I feel like it’s too early to write him off, especially given his production.
Despite his finishing not looking as convincing as some others in the squad, he has scored nine goals from 9.4 xG (expected goals) this season. That’s only a small under-performance and one that might surprise a few.
Gakpo was also best in the role as the provider for PSV Eindhoven before his $47m (£37m/€43m). He registered 25 assists in his last 41 games across his final two seasons in the Eredivisie, while finding the net on 21 occasions. Liverpool hasn’t been looking to use him in this role enough.
His assist rate has fallen significantly since arriving on Merseyside, with just three registered in 1,160 Premier League minutes this season (12.8 matches). Interestingly, just 87 of those minutes have been from the left wing, according to FBref — during which he registered a goal against Newcastle and an assist against Bournemouth.
Given Diogo Jota is in better form in the middle, and also more productive on counter-attacks, Gakpo’s recent performance for his country signals that it is best to keep him on the left. Of course, it makes sense why Gakpo would be tried there given his height, technical ability, and pace, but while there are games in which he does flourish playing there, it’s normally against weaker opposition.
The temptation might remain for some in terms of favoring a transfer away from the club, but in the middle of a transition with a new manager set to come in, Gakpo should be given time to see where he fits into the next system. Ideally, the striker role will be left to Núñez with depth provided by Jota — allowing Gakpo to take on the role as a ‘playmaker’ for Liverpool’s dynamic attack.
