Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo scored again at Euro 2024, with the 25-year-old netting in the 3-2 loss to Austria, and he received praise from two former Liverpool players.
Coy Gakpo has been praised for his performance in the Netherlands’ defeat to Austria.
Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo was one of the Netherlands’ best performers in its 3-2 loss to Austria at Euro 2024. Gakpo equalized for The Netherlands early in the second half, scoring his second goal of the competition.
Playing on the left-hand side for his country, Gakpo has been one of Ronald Koeman’s best players in what has been an underwhelming tournament for the Dutch so far. Despite only winning once, it has managed to qualify for the round of 16.
Gakpo has looked more comfortable in the orange of his country than in the red of Liverpool at times. He appears more at ease playing on the left-hand side, something Jurgen Klopp never really afforded him the chance to do since he joined the club from PSV Eindhoven in the winter of 2022 — with Luis Diaz and indeed Darwin Nunez preferred in that role.
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Gakpo’s goals at Euro 2024 have come from cutting in from the left-hand side and placing the ball into the opposite corner. He scored against Poland in The Netherlands’ tournament opener, and added his second today in the thrilling loss to Ralf Rangnick’s Austria, who surprised everyone by topping Group D.
Gakpo received praise from two former Liverpool players. Stephen Warnock and Danny Murphy both talked up his contributions.
Danny Murphy, commentating on BBC Two, said after Gakpo’s goal: “The positioning of Lutsharel Geertruida started that. He’s in a midfield position rather than right-back and he won the ball back. Xavi Simons bides his time and we have seen Cody Gakpo do that many times — calm finish and a perfect start for the Dutch.”
Warnock, another former Liverpool star, added on BBC Radio 5 Live commentary: “Xavi Simons delivers a lovely ball into Cody Gakpo. Defensively, you have to do better. Gakpo opens up his body and passes it into the far side. That is the dream start for the Netherlands in the second half.”
The Netherlands finished third in Group D, and could face a stern challenge in the round of 16, with its opponent unknown as of writing (although there’s a clear path to it being England). Gakpo’s performances at the competition will do wonders for his confidence, and the 25-year-old will be hoping to bring his Euro 2024 form back to Liverpool ahead of the new season.
