This Liverpool player disappointed during an international friendly defeat in the build-up to World Cup 2026 whilst his team-mate thrived
Crysencio Summerville of Holland, Cody Gakpo of Holland during the Training MenTraining Holland at the KNVB Campus
Crysencio Summerville could rival Liverpool's Cody Gakpo for playing time at World Cup 2026(Image: Getty)
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Cody Gakpo was outshone by West Ham's Crysencio Summerville in the Netherlands' bitter 1-0 friendly defeat to Algeria on Wednesday. The Liverpool star's minutes at World Cup 2026 could be under threat thanks to the high-performing now-Championship forward.
There will be eight Reds players in North America this summer and three of them will represent the Netherlands. Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Gakpo are all key components of Ronald Koeman's squad and started against Algeria in Rotterdam.
However, what was meant to be a routine send-off for the Dutch ended in a 1-0 international friendly defeat. Gakpo played 81 minutes on the left but failed to turn the match in his nation's favour.
Summerville, who has just been relegated with West Ham, made a significantly greater impact on his debut, according to Dutch media. This could be a wake-up call for the Liverpool man, whose playing time at the World Cup may take a hit if Summerville continues to thrive.
Against Algeria, Koeman wheeled out a front three of ex-Aston Villa man Donyell Malen as the centre-forward, Gakpo on the left flank and Summerville on the right.
Dutch outlet VoetbalPrimeur was far from impressed by how Gakpo fared in the disappointing 1-0 defeat, rating him a 5.5/10 and penning: "Gakpo quickly weaved his way past his direct opponent a few times. After that, the left winger was unable to really make his mark."
Cody Gakpo of the Netherlands during the 2026 World Cup friendly match between the Netherlands and Algeria at Stadium De Kuip in Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Gakpo wasn't at his best against Algeria(Image: Getty)
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Summerville, on the other hand, received the joint-highest rating among the Dutch cohort. The publication gave him a 7/10 for his first-half showing and wrote: "A fine debut from Summerville. The West Ham forward made a fresh impression and was involved in many of the Dutch threats. His agility and speed are a weapon."
VoetbalPrimeur was not the only outlet to heap praise on Summerville. NOS claimed that the 24-year-old played a starring role on his international debut. He was replaced at half-time.
A report read: "While Summerville primarily plays as a left winger at West Ham, Koeman selected him as a right winger. Fortunately for Koeman, Summerville proved the national coach right for the time being in his 45 minutes.
"In the absence of the suspended Denzel Dumfries, Mats Wieffer played right-back, but Summerville played as if regular Dumfries were behind him, making space for runs from his team-mate.
Crysencio Summerville of the Netherlands dribbles with the ball during the international friendly match between Netherlands and Algeria
Summerville only played the first half but showed what he is capable of(Image: Getty)
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"He kept going like that in the first half hour and was involved in several good attacks. Overall, Summerville proved he can be dangerous with his speed and dribbling and can also hold the ball well on the inside as an extra midfielder."
With the newly relegated player evidently impressing and playing naturally as a left winger for West Ham, it is not out of the question that he could compete with Gakpo for minutes on the left at the World Cup.
The Liverpool forward wasn't on song against Algeria. If Summerville continues to show promise, he could be given some opportunities in his natural left wing position, to the hindrance of Gakpo, who will now have to look over his shoulder.
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