Cody Gakpo had already developed the positive habit of rising to the challenge for Liverpool. So he wasted no time when Bayern Munich was the opposition in Singapore earlier this month.
He wasted little time in getting started early this month.
With just two minutes remaining, Gakpo outran the Bayern backline after sprinting on a return pass from Diogo Jota. He then skillfully finished the play.
It was another proof of a successful warm-up program for the Dutchman, who had expressed his goals in the first preseason game.
When Jota controlled a header down for Karlsruhe during a friendly match, Jota swiveled to shoot into the top corner midway through the second half before turning creator for Jota to score in stoppage time.
After joining from PSV Eindhoven in the middle of last season, he made 15 of his 17 Premier League starts there. However, prior to his performance against Bayern, he was positioned on the left of the engine room triad due to a lack of midfield options.
Gakpo began the current top-flight season in the deeper role, with Jota, Mohamed Salah, and Luis Diaz filling the offensive roles due to Jurgen Klopp’s persistent lack of selection options.
The Dutchman was the first player Klopp replaced in both Liverpool’s victories over Bournemouth and Chelsea after struggling to make an impact in both games. The Dutchman’s only Liverpool start in midfield last season came in a similar emergency situation at home against Brentford.
The statistics imply that Gakpo’s natural game has been constrained by the midfield position. While his early substitution in both games may have contributed to the fact that no Liverpool starter had less touches, the Holland international’s effectiveness in the final third was limited by a lack of touches.
coupled with two crucial passes and no successful shots. Gakpo scored 20 goals and provided 20 assists in 50 club matches for PSV and Liverpool last season.
However, with newcomer Wataru Endo and a fully recovered Stefan Bajcetic vying for a starting spot in defensive midfield, Sunday’s matchup against Newcastle United could present a chance for the attacker to return to the attack.
The competition between Wataru Endo and a recovered Stefan Bajcetic for the starting spot in defensive midfield would allow Alexis Mac Allister to take over Gakpo’s more forward midfield position.
When Gakpo previously visited Tyneside in February, Liverpool defeated them 2-0, and Gakpo scored the second goal by starting down the middle. Darwin Nunez, who scored the first goal, started on the
Portuguese is no longer on the team.
So, Gakpo might have to wait before taking the lead in the forward line once more. But the Dutchman won’t have to wait long to prove why many people believe he should replace Roberto Firmino as the natural false number nine.
