The Reds are at the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables, having only lost once in Slot’s first 17 games at the helm.
Players like Ryan Gravenberch and Luis Diaz have stepped up a level this season thanks to Slot’s tactical tweaks that have Liverpool playing with a lot more control than under Jurgen Klopp.
Cody Gakpo is another who has looked really impressive since coming back from a series of good performances at EURO 2024 for the Netherlands during the summer. The former PSV winger got 3 goals and an assist for a side that made it all the way to the semi-finals.
It’s the kind of tournament run that often makes players iconic in their home country, and has clearly given Gakpo a huge boost of confidence going into this season.
However, Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has expressed his anger at Gakpo after the 4-0 Nations League win over Hungary this week.Gakpo’s penalty decision
The Netherlands were 1-0 up just before the end of the second half, having taken the lead through a penalty from Wout Weghorst in a game that was marred by a medical emergency suffered by Hungarian coach Adam Szalai early on.
The incident clearly affected Hungary, who should be commended for returning to the field after such a traumatic incident.
When the Netherlands got a second penalty late in the second half, Gakpo took charge, stepping up to place the ball on the penalty spot.
Koeman reacted angrily, and according to Dutch media couldn’t believe that Weghorst wasn’t given the ball. The manager “made no secret of his displeasure,” according to Dutch outlet FC Update.
While Koeman was unhappy with one of his star players, Gakpo did convert the penalty and his side went on to win 4-0 and qualify for the quarter-final stage ahead of Hungary, so the Liverpool forward may avoid serious punishment for upsetting his manager.
Slot has chosen to rotate Gakpo and Diaz on the left hand side of the forward line for much of the season. Diaz started as the first choice, with Gakpo having to impress in the Carabao Cup and Champions League, where he has had most of his starts.
However, an injury to Diogo Jota opened the door to more game time for Gakpo, and he hasn’t disappointed in taking his chance.
Having both Gakpo and Diaz in good form allows Slot to be flexible with his starting lineups. Nunez has often been the pick at number 9, but Slot chose to play Diaz through the middle against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen, with Gakpo on the left.
Diaz scored a hattrick in one of Liverpool’s most impressive performances under the new boss, which could be a sign of things to come.e.
