Jamie Carragher has admitted that he is “baffled” at Cody Gakpo’s early performances at Liverpool after his lack of impact at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp.
Gakpo was in stunning form with the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with the Dutchman scoring three times in five appearances at the tournament.
The 23-year-old Dutch winger was heavily linked with Manchester United before Liverpool made a sensational swoop for Gakpo after the World Cup.
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Liverpool landed former United target Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an initial fee of £35m, which could rise to £45m if add-ons are met.
However, Gakpo has endured a slow start to life in England and failed to replicate his PSV and Netherlands form at Anfield so far.
The Netherlands international has made six appearances for the Reds since his transfer, but Gakpo has failed to find the back of the net for Liverpool.
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Carragher has insisted that the former PSV winger, who scored 13 times for the Dutch side this season before his Liverpool move, isn’t a “typical Klopp signing.”
The Sky Sports pundit added that Gakpo could be relegated to the bench once Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota are fit, with Carragher questioning Liverpool’s transfer strategy.
“In attack, Diaz started his Liverpool career brilliantly but Nunez is a work in progress, and I am baffled watching Gakpo’s early performances,” he wrote in his column for The Daily Telegraph.
“Gakpo is not a typical Klopp signing, lacking lightning pace and the capacity to lead a high press.
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“Why commit up to £45 million on someone who will be on the bench when Diaz and Diogo Jota are fit? Especially when another area of the team needed strengthening?”
Liverpool will face Premier League strugglers Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on Monday, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.
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Topics: Cody Gakpo, Liverpool, Jamie Carragher, Premier League, England, Football
Adnan Riaz