Disparity in Player Performance: Cody Gakpo’s Tale of Two Teams

Liverpool’s forward, Cody Gakpo, has proven to be a vital asset for the Reds this season, contributing significantly with 18 goals across various competitions and showcasing remarkable consistency in his appearances, largely unhampered by injuries. Yet, despite his commendable record, Gakpo has faced recent criticism for his subdued performances, particularly when introduced from the bench, raising questions about his impact.

However, a striking contrast emerges when observing Gakpo’s displays for his national team. Representing the Netherlands, Gakpo has emerged as a pivotal figure, notably excelling since the World Cup, where he emerged as the country’s leading scorer in Qatar.

In his last five appearances for the Dutch side, Gakpo has notched up an impressive tally of five goal contributions, including three goals and two assists, highlighted by his stellar performance against Scotland, where he provided two exceptional assists.

The disparity in Gakpo’s form between club and country underscores the importance of tactical deployment. While Liverpool often positions Gakpo as a central focal point, tasked with playing with his back to goal, the Netherlands utilizes him as a wide left-winger or a roaming number ten, allowing him to exploit his speed and technical prowess to penetrate defenses.

Gakpo’s effectiveness is notably enhanced when he is afforded the freedom to drop deeper, enabling him to receive the ball in dangerous areas and exploit his agility to bypass defenders. Conversely, his impact diminishes when constrained to a traditional number nine role, where his physicality may be lacking.

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, would do well to consider Gakpo’s optimal utilization when integrating him into the Reds’ lineup. Maximizing his abilities entails adapting Liverpool’s tactics to capitalize on his strengths, emphasizing his agility and technical proficiency rather than relying solely on his physical presence.

In essence, Gakpo’s journey underscores the importance of tactical flexibility and adaptation in unlocking a player’s full potential, serving as a valuable lesson for Klopp and Liverpool as they seek to harness Gakpo’s talents to the fullest.