Cody Gakpo: Netherlands boss worries for Liverpool signing

Daniel Cabot Kerkdijk

• 8 Feb 2023 08:22 GMT
• 3 min read

Netherlands international head coach Ronald Koeman is sorry to see that Cody Gakpo has not yet found his feet at Liverpool and has hinted he worries about what lies ahead for the 23-year-old.

During the January transfer window, the attacker made a transfer from PSV to the Merseyside club for €42 million.

Liverpool, though, are enduring a difficult season. They are 10th in the Premier League, with no less than 21 points fewer than leaders Arsenal.

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Gakpo has struggled to make an instant impression. He has made a total of six appearances for Liverpool, failing to score or provide an assist, and stepping off the field victorious only once.

"In England it is of course a higher level than in the Netherlands, but you also have guys like Ryan Gravenberch who go abroad and then don't play. Then that is difficult," Koeman told Andy in the Auto.

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'Difficult for Gapko'

The Dutch coach follows a lot of football on television and sees that Gakpo is having a hard time in his first weeks.

“Liverpool are, of course, a lot poorer than in previous years. Of course, you can see that. That's difficult for him,” he added.

“He has not come into a team that is running super well, so it will be more difficult for him. As a new purchase you will be tested immediately. If you don't score or you're not important and you don't win games, it's difficult, especially for a young player. It would be different if you are 28 years old and have experience.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, though, is still showing signs of faith in Gakpo, who has started his first six games with the Anfield club.

Jordan Henderson also spoke about Gakpo last month.

“He is doing very well,” the Liverpool captain stressed. "Honestly, I feel sorry for him that he's coming into a team that has so little self-confidence. That must be very difficult for him.”

Gakpo has played 497 minutes in six official Liverpool matches so far. In this series there have been three losses (3-0 against Brighton, 2-1 against Brighton and 3-0 against Wolves), two draws (0-0 against Chelsea and 2-2 against Wolves) and one win (1-0 against Wolves).