Liverpool players have had a mixed time of things at Euro 2024 so far.
With the second round of group games getting underway on Wednesday, there’s still time for things to change.
The likes of Andy Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai will be crossing their fingers that it gets better for them after their teams fluffed their lines on matchday one.
Meanwhile Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch will all be hoping that they get some minutes on the pitch this week.
Things have been better for other members of the Liverpool squad, though. Cody Gakpo is the only Red to find the net so far, and new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot will have taking notes of what he spotted from Gakpo.
Cody Gakpo shines for the Netherlands
Being a Dutchman himself, it seems very likely that Slot will already have been playing close attention to the Netherlands’ opening game against Poland on Sunday.
The fact that it featured his new Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk as well as Gakpo will obviously have made it essential viewing for Slot.
And what he will have seen in Hamburg is sure to have to settled one thing in his mind: Cody Gakpo is better on the left wing.
Gakpo had a decent season for Liverpool while playing a variety of roles. Jurgen Klopp himself admitted that he had fiddled around too much with the 25-year-old’s position though, and this led to inconsistent displays.
READ MORE: Jamie Redknapp explains what Cody Gakpo needs to do more often at Liverpool
Moving into his second full season at Anfield, it’s imperative that Gakpo now finds himself a permanent position.
And having started so brightly from the left during his country’s game this weekend, it feels like this is no longer a question that needs answering.
Gakpo was electric cutting inside onto his right foot. That he eventually got the all important equalising goal underlined his influence in the game.
Although he was ultimately taken off before the winner was scored – something Gakpo was furious about – he was also awarded the official Man of the Match award. It should be a glimpse into the future.
Cody Gakpo must take up left-sided spot for Liverpool
With the future of Luis Diaz in question, Liverpool are looking for a long-term solution on the left side of their attack.
Two-and-a-half years younger than Diaz, Gakpo can be that answer.
It’s handy to have his versatility in his pocket, of course. There’s no harm in being able to do a job across the front line. But Cody’s way into this team is from the left.
Slot will already have arrived at Liverpool with his own ideas about who he wants playing where. But as he sees them up close at the AXA Training Centre for the first time, those impressions may change.
For players like Gakpo who are away for a few weeks more, the international competitions are giving them a way to show what they can offer Slot.
Gakpo has just displayed that he can be a key man if he’s given the chance to be.