It’s fair to say that Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool career hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts.
Since arriving for a fee of around £44m at the start of the month, the Netherlands international has really struggled to make an impact in any of the six games he has played.
While some supporters on Twitter feel Gakpo is unlucky to arrive at the club during a time of crisis, most are simply not convinced that the winger has the ability to play for the Reds:
By no means a scapegoat but I have no idea why we signed him. He’s a slightly taller, slower Divock Origi
— LFC ULTRA (@LFC_Ultra) February 4, 2023
Weve looked worse since he came in
— Mike T AATQB (@kophbk) February 5, 2023
Take his finishing out of the equation – he’s been out of position, starting to drop deeper and understand the role, calm on the ball, great feet and plays a smart pass. He’s a good player in the wrong team. Every faith he comes good next year. He isn’t anywhere near the problem.
— Matt Ward (@MrWardPE) February 5, 2023
Luis Diaz arrived in January last season and he’s not known for his stats but instantly he was direct and running at people and caught everyone’s eye. Don’t tell me you see the same with gakpo
— DareToDarwin (@DareToDarwin) February 5, 2023
Doesn’t look like a starter & for 40 mil it’s a wasted signing
— Colm Tiernan (@ColmTiernan) February 4, 2023
If this were last year, he probably wouldn’t have gotten a kick yet and still allowed to acclimate to the club. Can’t blame him at all.
— Joe Li (@didntgetemagain) February 5, 2023
We shouldn’t have signed him at all, but that’s recruitment, not Gakpo’s fault!
— LiamInTheSky 💎 (@BookieBasher118) February 5, 2023
Should never have been bought, he is just not a good enough.
— Senor Heego (@aarka_saaxil) February 4, 2023
A little more time will be needed to deliver a definitive judgment on the player, but the early signs are not good. He doesn’t have the physicality or the speed to be an effective winger, and he lacks the instincts to be a number nine.
Things could improve if and when there is an upturn in Liverpool’s form, but the zero goals and zero assists so far don’t make for good reading.