Arne Slot Makes Frank Admission on Cody Gakpo's Liverpool Struggles
Liverpool's recent resurgence in form, marked by a three-match winning streak including a dominant 5-2 victory over West Ham United, has propelled them back into contention for Champions League qualification. The Reds now sit just three points behind both Manchester United and Aston Villa, who currently occupy the coveted third and fourth positions in the Premier League table.
Persistent Issues Amidst Winning Run
Despite this positive momentum, significant challenges continue to plague the reigning champions. A notable absence of physical presence in midfield and ongoing vulnerabilities from set-piece situations remain primary concerns for manager Arne Slot and his coaching staff. Compounding these tactical issues is the pronounced dip in form experienced by Dutch winger Cody Gakpo.
The £45 million signing from 2022 is enduring his most difficult season at Anfield to date. A stark lack of goals and consistently underwhelming performances have led to growing calls from sections of the Liverpool support for Gakpo to be dropped from the starting lineup. His recent strike against West Ham represented only his third goal since November and his first in the league since netting against Fulham in January.
Slot's Assessment of Gakpo's Confidence
Addressing the situation, Arne Slot offered a nuanced perspective on his compatriot's struggles. While expressing pleasure at Gakpo breaking his drought with a goal that provided a "comfortable cushion" in the match, Slot revealed he had observed changes in the player's in-game decision-making.
"I don't think his confidence was gone or away in that regard," stated the Liverpool manager. "But I did see a few times recently that he maybe made different decisions than I'm used to from him. That doesn't always have to mean it's a lack of confidence. But when players are not scoring for a longer and longer time they start to think more about their direction, and overthinking is not the best thing you can do."
Former Red Defends 'Easy Target' Gakpo
The criticism directed at Gakpo has been particularly vocal, with some fans advocating for young talent Rio Ngumoha to be given an opportunity on the left wing. Former Liverpool midfielder Jason McAteer has now intervened, suggesting the 26-year-old has become a convenient scapegoat during the team's periods of underperformance.
Speaking on the official Liverpool FC podcast, McAteer expressed sympathy for the under-fire winger. "I've a slight sympathy for Cody. I think sometimes he can be unfairly criticised. When it’s not going well, I think he’s an easy target," said the former Republic of Ireland international. "He puts a right shift in and sometimes doesn’t get the credit he’s worthy of. He’s having quite a productive season, scoring goals."
This defence comes despite Gakpo's tally of just eight goals across all competitions this season, a significant drop from the 18 he managed during Liverpool's title-winning campaign last year. The disparity highlights the heightened expectations placed upon him and the scrutiny that follows when those expectations are not met.
As Liverpool continue their push for a top-four finish, the form of Cody Gakpo remains a subplot of considerable interest. While Arne Slot acknowledges the psychological impact of a prolonged goal drought, the support from a club legend like McAteer may provide some respite for a player labelled by many as an 'easy target' during difficult times.
