Cody Gakpo: Liverpool's Dutch star targeting England and Euro 24 top scorer

Some players are more renowned for their national team performances than their club ones, and Cody Gakpo seems to fit this mold. The Liverpool player has been crucial in coach Ronald Koeman’s attacking strategies during the Euros, and the Netherlands can boast of having one of the tournament’s figures and top scorers ahead of the semifinal match against England on Wednesday, July 10.

However, Gakpo’s reality is different when speaking about his Liverpool performances, where he has yet to earn his spot in the starting XI. With players like Salah, Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Núñez in Liverpool’s attack, the competition was challenging for the Dutchman last season, who had to sacrifice his position as a winger.

“I was a left winger before, so that’s always been my preference. But in the last one and a half years, the coach (Klopp) needed me to play somewhere else, and that’s what I tried to do at my best,” said Gakpo during a press conference before the semifinal game, showcasing the effort he has made during the last year and a half.

When did Gakpo arrive at Liverpool?

Gakpo’s soccer career started at the Dutch PSV Academy in 2007, and his debut with the first team was in 2018 in a match against Feyenoord. He quickly established himself as a crucial player in the squad, scoring 55 goals and providing 50 assists during his five years at PSV. What’s more, he scored three goals in five matches for the Netherlands during the 2022 World Cup and became the top target for some clubs during the winter transfer window.

Liverpool ended up winning the race against Manchester United, and on December 28, 2022, Jurgen Klopp’s side announced the signing of the Dutchman in a six-year deal. With Díaz and Jota out due to injuries, Gakpo’s arrival was like finding water in the middle of the desert for Liverpool’s attack.

How many goals did Cody Gakpo score with Liverpool last season?

The attacker didn’t have to wait much to make his debut for the Reds; his first appearance was during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton in the third round of the FA Cup on January 7, 2023. He scored his first goal for the Reds during a Merseyside Derby match against Everton on February 13, more than a month after his first appearance.

After his first (half) season with the Reds, Gakpo scored seven goals in 21 games, with some fans being deluded after the expectations placed on him. However, his stats do not seem to have improved after last season: 16 goals in 53 matches for Liverpool across all competitions, way behind his numbers at PSV.