Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo Faces Scrutiny After Lackluster Display in Narrow Win: Jurgen Klopp’s Concerns Grow

Liverpool’s recent clash against Nottingham Forest saw Cody Gakpo thrust into the spotlight, albeit for the wrong reasons, as his performance failed to meet expectations in a hard-fought victory at the City Ground on Saturday.

Despite clinching a crucial three points with Darwin Nunez’s dramatic 99th-minute header, Gakpo’s contribution left much to be desired, drawing criticism from former Liverpool player Luis Garcia and raising concerns for manager Jurgen Klopp.

Tasked with spearheading Liverpool’s attack from the middle of the front three, Gakpo struggled to impose himself on the game, managing only two off-target attempts on goal and exhibiting a lack of composure, particularly in the second half, as observed by Garcia during ESPN’s analysis.

The disappointing outing adds to a string of underwhelming performances from Gakpo, exacerbating worries for Klopp, who must navigate Liverpool’s persistent injury woes while maintaining their title aspirations. While Gakpo’s versatility offers tactical flexibility, his recent goal-scoring record—just two goals in his last 11 appearances across all competitions—falls short of the standards required during a crucial title run-in.

In contrast, Nunez’s return from injury has injected newfound potency into Liverpool’s attack, boasting double the goals and assists compared to Gakpo in the same number of games. The Uruguayan’s resurgence serves as a timely reminder of the level of performance expected from Liverpool’s attacking contingent.

As Liverpool’s campaign reaches its climax, Klopp faces mounting pressure to address Gakpo’s form and extract the best from his attacking arsenal. With Nunez’s impact revitalizing the team, Klopp will be eager to see a marked improvement from Gakpo and his fellow forwards to sustain their title challenge and fend off their rivals.