Liverpool: Cody Gakpo faces ‘difficult’ situation at Anfield admits Netherlands boss Ronald Koeman
- Seb Sternik
- 8 February 2023
Newly appointed Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman believes Cody Gakpo may have joined Liverpool too early in his career.
The 23-year-old caught the eye of many clubs following a breakout World Cup in Qatar.
Gakpo scored three goals in five games as the Netherlands reached the quarter-final stage.
Following the tournament, Liverpool moved in for the forward and splashed just over £40m to seal his signature from PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo made his debut for Jurgen Klopp on January 7 during a 2-2 draw with Wolves in the FA Cup.
The Netherlands international has gone on to make six further appearances for the Reds, though he's yet to get on the scoresheet.
"He has ended up in a team that is not doing well," said Koeman when speaking to Andy van der Meyde on a YouTube show.
"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."
"But they are also young boys, aren't they? Like [Ryan] Gravenberch going to Bayern [Munich] and not playing. Then that is difficult."
Before completing his move to Merseyside, Gakpo was in fine form for PSV. The forward not only scored nine goals in 14 matches but also came up with 12 assists during that time.
Gakpo will get his first taste of the Merseyside derby when Liverpool host Everton on Monday, February 13.
