Cody Gakpo may go into Liverpool’s derby with Manchester United wondering what could have been. A different shade of red, perhaps.
On Boxing Day, the Dutchman marked two years since his arrival at Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven, although his story would have been very different had Erik Ten Hag successfully moved him to Manchester United in early 2022.
“I think it was last summer that I was in contact with the club and I also spoke with the manager, obviously he is Dutch,” he said. Sky Sports At the beginning of 2024.
“But in the end it didn’t work, and that’s it. Liverpool came in the winter. The best decision for me.”
It looks like something of a decision, as United head into Sunday’s game at Anfield faltering in the latter half, with strikers Rasmus Hoylund, Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford struggling for form, minutes or even the appreciation of the home fans. by
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Take a look back at Cody Gakpo’s best Liverpool goals in the Premier League
And while Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s star player in attack this season, there’s absolutely no doubt about that, Slott is equally right to ask the question: where would his team be without Gakpo?
Salah may top the scoring and assist charts this season with 37 goals so far, while Gakpo has scored just 5 Premier League goals to help Liverpool win the title, but almost all of them have come in crucial moments.
Three of his goals came in a 1-0 loss to Liverpool and in trouble at home, all big moments helping Liverpool pick up points, all coincidentally in front of the Kop.
A Boxing Day equalizer against Leicester and two against Brighton also kicked off what was once a title race against Real Madrid in the Champions League has scored in three Carabao Cup games so far.
Overall, Gakpo’s ability to perform for Liverpool is best demonstrated by the fact that he has averaged more shots per 90 minutes than any forward alongside Slott. Not even Salah has contributed as much as Gakpo across the board.
Gakpo’s form shows how Slott has improved this Liverpool team without having to resort to the transfer market.Like other players such as Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch, the Dutchman has looked a little lost settling into life at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp.
Part of his transformation into a key player has been due to a move to the left wing, the forward primarily playing in that role at PSV Eindhoven, but former Liverpool boss Klopp preferred him anywhere but there.
It was six months ago, after Klopp left Liverpool and Gakpo left for Euro 2024 with the Netherlands, that the 25-year-old found his old self again.
“I played as a left winger again in the Euros. Then this season the new coach came, I spoke to him and he said: “You have to focus on the left wing position. this is your position when you come in. time to start or when,” Gakpo said earlier this season.
“Because he said there’s a lot of competition here, so you’ve got to show yourself, but he said, ‘That’s going to be your position.’
“It felt a bit like the old me and what I did at PSV. I feel really good in this position. I’m trying to show everyone my best.
“I think I’m going more one-on-one now, facing the opposition, where I can really come in and cross, shoot or come out and cross, which is more my game, I’d say. and where I think I can be really dangerous and help the team the most.”
Gakpo has developed into a real clutch player for Liverpool, but this is shaping up to be a tough time for Arne Slot’s Reds.
With eight games to play in January and some tough challenges ahead, the Dutchman may be needed more than ever if Liverpool are to fly high in all competitions.
