There are a number of players who are getting the plaudits for their performances turned out this season. The fact that Liverpool find themselves on top of the league domestically and in continental competition, those plaudits are well deserved.
The manager deserves the accolades coming his way as do players like Mohammed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Virgil van Dijk.
However there is another player in the squad who deserves more praise than he is getting. That is Cody Gakpo. Certainly in the last couple of months he has stepped up.
He was picked up in the January Transfer window of 2023. A typical efficient Liverpool signing that was made before the window opened. Gakpo was the star performer in the Qatar World Cup scoring 3 goals for his nation.
Gakpo made his debut in the FA Cup against Wolves which finished 2-2. At that point Jurgen Klopp's side were struggling with form.
A strong start in Red
Gakpo continued to keep his place in the starting lineup. He scored his first goal in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield. He followed this up with the opening goal in the 7-0 drubbing of Manchester United. Fans were starting to see what Gakpo was bringing to the table.
Operating on that left side of attack Gakpo was drifting inwards and giving opposition defenses a real problem.
The following season was a bit more disruptive for Gakpo. He found himself in and out of the team. He was up against Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez for the left and central attacking positions.
When he played through the middle it didn’t really suit him and he had an indifferent form throughout the season.
Where Gakpo really shined was in the Carabao Cup. He got 4 goals in the 23/24 season to help Liverpool get to the final where they beat Chelsea to take another trophy back to Anfield.
"Carabao Cup Cody"
Gakpo’s relationship with the Carabao cup appears to be continuing this season as well. He has already matched the 4 goals of last season and there is one certain game to play and then a final should Liverpool overturn Spurs’ lead.
Gakpo started this season mostly on the bench but came on with half an hour to play. From 14th December against Fulham until now Gakpo has been a starter except the Lille match where it was an excellent opportunity for Arne Slot to rotate his starting team.
In that run of 10 games Gakpo has scored 6 goals which is an impressive return. The December/January fixture congestion can really derail a season but Liverpool seemed to have a secret weapon in Gakpo to get themselves through this difficult period.
The numbers that Gakpo has posted in the last couple of months aside, Gakpo’s contribution is worth so much more.
He tends to get the opening goal or a key goal at a key moment to give back the momentum to Liverpool.
His playing style is very unique. Diaz and Nunez may be direct players but Gakpo is more intricate and will combine with other players to carve out openings.
He is clearly suited to playing on the left side and cuts into goal scoring positions. I’m sure there is more to come from Gakpo for the rest of the season.