Former Everton boss Ronald Koeman has suggested that Liverpool ’s horrendous form is a key reason behind why Cody Gakpo has endured a slow start to life at Anfield.
The Dutch forward completed a £37m move to Merseyside in January from PSV, with the Reds beating fierce rivals Manchester United to his signature. Despite his electric form in his home country so far this season, Gakpo has not quite managed to continue that following his switch.
The 23-year-old is yet to score his first Liverpool goal in six appearances in all competitions, while he has also failed to assist his team-mates. Koeman, Gakpo’s new manager on the international stage with the Netherlands, has claimed that his tender years as well as Liverpool’s wretched run of form since the World Cup are huge reasons behind his stuttering start to life on Merseyside.
Speaking to the Andy van der Meijde YouTube channel, the former Everton boss said: “The level in England is higher than in the Netherlands, but they are also young boys, aren't they? Like (Ryan) Gravenberch going to Bayern (Munich) and not playing. Then that is difficult.
"You can see that, that he [Gakpo] has ended up in a team that is not doing well. Then it becomes more difficult for him, as a new signing. You are tested right away.
“And if you don't score or you're not important and you don't win any matches, it's very difficult, especially for a young player. If that was someone aged 28 with experience, it would be different.”
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Gakpo has also offered his view on the situation at Anfield and has agreed with Koeman’s sentiment that it has not been easy coming into a team out of form. Liverpool have only won once with the Dutchman on the pitch; a 1-0 FA Cup fourth round replay over Wolves.
Speaking to WALK ON, Liverpool’s eMagazine, Gakpo said: "It's always different when you come into a team that was maybe first and winning every game, but it's now in a little bit of a difficult situation. So for me it is to come in and show what I can.
“If we were in first I have to do that and now we are in another place I have to do that also. I just try to show my best side. The coach [Jurgen Klopp] gave me a really warm welcome and I really appreciated it. We had a good conversation and now he is helping me to adapt as fast as possible in the team and to his style of playing. To do that I need to keep working hard and improving."
Gakpo will be aiming to end his barren spell in front of goal ironically against Koeman’s former club Everton. Liverpool host the Toffees at Anfield on Monday evening for the latest instalment of the Merseyside derby.
