Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has become a regular starter for the Netherlands.
The Dutchman started the game against Poland in their Euro 2024 opener and produced a fantastic performance. He scored a goal and impressed in attack.
Ronald Koeman gave Gakpo another start on Friday night, this time against France. The game at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig ended 0-0.
Gakpo played the full 90 minutes for the Netherlands, and his performance has now been reviewed by his country’s press.
What the Dutch media have said about Cody Gakpo’s performance vs France
Gakpo is a very interesting player.
The 25-year-old is fantastic in attack, can score goals and provide assists, and is extremely versatile as well. He is a dream player for many managers.
However, Gakpo has been called ‘overrated’ by some pundits because he can be inconsistent at times.
In the Dutch national team, the Liverpool man seems to have cemented a place for himself in the starting lineup. Gakpo impressed against Poland and he had a decent game versus France as well.
He tested Mike Maignan with a fantastic strike in the first half and looked dangerous.
However, the one complaint from the Dutch media is that Gakpo just didn’t get on the ball enough – he only had 26 touches in 90 minutes.
What’s really interesting is that Gakpo has still been described as the Netherlands’ most dangerous attacker by one national media outlet.
Football Oranje gave Gakpo a 6.5/10 rating and wrote: “Netherlands’ most threatening attacker again as he was always a threat when cutting in from the left. He almost scored with a lovely strike that was well saved.”
Voetbal Primeur also gave him a 6.5/10 rating and said: “He was not as good against France as he was against Poland, because Gakpo was barely found on the left. He did show flashes of his class. That promises something for the rest of the European Championship.”
Finally, AD gave him a 7/10 rating and wrote: “His move before half-time, where he came in from the side and shot, was just saved by Maignan. Even after the break in the run-up to the disallowed goal, he was equally elusive.”
Gakpo has a problem at Liverpool
Gakpo’s talent is there for everyone to see.
The 25-year-old scored 16 goals and provided six assists for Liverpool in 32 starts in all competitions. That’s not a bad return at all.
However, Gakpo may just become a victim of his own versatility.
Luis Diaz has nailed down the starting spot on the left flank, while Mohamed Salah is the main man on the opposite side.
Darwin Nunez came under a lot of criticism in the 2023/24 season, but Arne Slot is said to be really excited to work with him next season.
That could cost Gakpo the chance to start regularly, which is a problem for him.