'I'd defy Messi to look good in this Liverpool team' - Owen defends Gakpo

Stuart Telford

• Updated: 23 May 2023 09:09 CDT
• 3 min read

Cody Gakpo has endured a difficult start to his Liverpool career since his €42 million arrival from PSV Eindhoven, but Reds legend Michael Owen has urged patience.

Gakpo was a man in demand during this winter transfer window, with Manchester United also interested in securing his services.

The clamour for his signature was understandable. Gakpo had 13 goals and 17 assists from just 24 games for PSV this season, at a rate of one every 65 minutes he played, and then scored three goals in three group stage games at the World Cup with the Netherlands.

READ: Liverpool paying the price for prioritising Gakpo transfer over midfield

But Gakpo is yet to get off the mark in 322 minutes of football for Liverpool across the Premier League and FA Cup. Owen, who won the Ballon d'Or as a Reds striker in 2001, thinks Gakpo should be given time.

Owen: Messi would struggle in this team

"I feel sorry for him actually because he's coming into a team that are really inconsistent and drained of all the confidence that we've seen in the past," he told Premier League Productions.

"He had a couple of half-chances [in Saturday's goalless draw with Chelsea] and it's clear he's trying.

"I'm sure he's going to be a good signing for the future, but at the moment, I would defy even Lionel Messi to come in and look good in this team because it's really struggling."

READ: Chelsea and Liverpool competing to have the Premier League’s worst transfer policy

Liverpool are now eighth in the Premier League, 10 points away from the Champions League places, having got off to their worst ever season start under Jurgen Klopp.

Gakpo has been the only major arrival at Anfield this winter, but the club are working hard on a deal for England midfielder Jude Bellingham, currently of Borussia Dortmund.

His father Mark was reportedly in talks with the club last week, although Real Madrid and Manchester City are also interested, and Liverpool's league position could hinder their pursuit.