Cody Gakpo would go into Liverpool's derby match with Manchester United wondering what could have happened. A different shade of red perhaps?
On Boxing Day, the Dutchman celebrated two years since joining Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven – although his story would have been very different had Erik ten Hag successfully brought him to Manchester United earlier in 2022.
“I think it was the summer before that I had contact with the club and also spoke to the manager. He is of course Dutch,” he told Sky Sports in early 2024.
“But in the end it didn't work out and that was it. And in the winter Liverpool came. The best decision for me.”
It looks like a decision. With United floundering in the bottom half at Anfield on Sunday – and strikers Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford struggling for form, minutes or even appreciation from the home fans – Gakpo has emerged as a key cog in Arne Slot's league leadership.
And while Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool's star player in attack this season – there is absolutely no doubt about that – Slot is equally right to ask the question: where would his team be without Gakpo?
Salah may lead the scoring and assist charts with 37 goals so far this season. Gakpo, meanwhile, has contributed just five Premier League goals to Liverpool's title challenge, but almost all of them were crucial moments.
Three of his goals were equalizers when Liverpool were 1-0 down and struggling at home. All big moments, all helping Liverpool get points, all – coincidentally – for the Kop.
The equalizer on Boxing Day will change the game against Leicester, with two more against Fulham and Brighton. There was also the opener in what was once a title race showdown with Manchester City. Moreover, there is the decisive goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League. He has also scored four goals in three Carabao Cup matches so far.
All told, Gakpo's ability to compete for Liverpool in multiple competitions is best reflected in the fact that he averages the most shot creations per 90 minutes of any forward in Slot's side. Even Salah hasn't contributed as much as Gakpo across the board.
Gakpo's form epitomizes how Slot has improved this Liverpool team without having to turn to the transfer market. Like other players such as Luis Diaz and Ryan Gravenberch, the Dutchman seemed a bit lost as he settled into Liverpool life under Jurgen Klopp.
Part of his transformation into a key player has been due to his move to the left wing. The forward largely fulfilled that role at PSV Eindhoven, but former Liverpool boss Klopp preferred him everywhere but there.
It was six months ago, after Klopp left Liverpool and Gakpo left for Euro 2024 with the Netherlands, when the 25-year-old found his old self again.
“At the European Championship I played as a left winger again. Then this season the new manager came, I had a conversation with him and he said: 'You have to concentrate on the left winger position. This is your position when you come in' or when you start,” Gakpo said earlier this season.
“Because he said there is a lot of competition here, so you just have to show yourself. But he said: 'that will be your position'.”
“It also felt a bit like the old me to me, like what I did at PSV. I feel very good in this position. I try to show everyone my best, what I am capable of.”
“I think now I come more one-on-one facing the opponent, where I can actually go in and cross, shoot or go out and cross. That's more my game, I would say and where I think I can be very dangerous and help the team the most.”
Gakpo has developed into a real clutch player for Liverpool, but this will be a real crunch time for Arne Slot's Reds.
With eight games in January and some tough challenges ahead, the Dutchman may be needed more than ever if Liverpool are to fly high in all competitions.
Watch Liverpool vs Man Utd live this Sunday in the Sky Sports Premier League, starting at 4:30 PM. Stream the game with a NOW TV pass.
Comments