As one of Arne Slot’s regular starters, Cody Gakpo was one of the most criticised Liverpool players in 25/26, but the Dutchman could still be useful under Andoni Iraola.
Though Gakpo was a target of fans’ frustration for much of the season, there were encouraging signs at the start of the campaign, if not always encouraging end product.
Increased irritation at this inability to make the final pass or find a goal from a good position led to an increased lack of confidence, and all of this snowballed from there.
There weren’t many players in the Liverpool squad last season who didn’t suffer some version of this scenario and decline in form, but as one of the forwards who was consistently available (a positive) and selected by Slot throughout the season (not always positive), much of the criticism fell on Gakpo.
Decline in difficult circumstances
Below is Gakpo’s stats radar from FBRef for the 2023/24 season, the final campaign under Jurgen Klopp. Looking at this in isolation, he looks like he would be a very useful player for Liverpool.
There’s a lot more creativity on show there than there has been from the Gakpo we’ve become accustomed to this past season, to go alongside regular instances of just generally making things happen.
If this player weren’t already at Liverpool, you would fancy him as a new signing who could add something that was missing in 2025/26.
In 2025/26, Gakpo wasn’t this player.
His chances of recovering any kind of form were pretty much ended later in the season when the manager started to use him regularly as a centre forward.
Though, given his size, Gakpo looks like he should be the best player in the team to fill in up top when the other strikers are not available, it’s very much not his thing, and especially not when you are going into that position low on confidence and are then expected to provide goals.
His hold-up play isn’t of the required level to play there, and though he has shown glimpses of good passing and vision, he wasn’t tuned in enough, again due to his previous struggles for form, to be a reliable option as a striker.
That height can still be useful at set pieces, not necessarily always in aerial duels, though that 2023/24 FBRef radar shows a good record in those too, but when you just need someone tall to head away a cross.
This was also a reason he will have been in the lineup when out of form, as a team needs a certain number of taller players in the XI at any one time in a league that has edged further and further towards set piece dominance.
What are the positives?
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. Back row L-R: goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Jerdy Schouten, captain Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo. Front row L-R: Memphis Depay, Tijjani Reijnders, Nathan Aké, Donyell Malen, Xavi Simons. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DORTMUND, GERMANY - Wednesday, July 10, 2024: Netherlands players line-up for a team group photograph before the UEFA Euro 2024 Semi-Final match between Netherlands and England at the Westfalenstadion. Back row L-R: goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, Denzel Dumfries, Stefan de Vrij, Jerdy Schouten, captain Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo. Front row L-R: Memphis Depay, Tijjani Reijnders, Nathan Aké, Donyell Malen, Xavi Simons. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gakpo have a good World Cup for the Netherlands. Neither would it be a surprise to see him thrive at another club were Liverpool to accept an offer for him.
The data he produced in previous seasons will look very attractive to other clubs looking for an inside left forward and in some ways, Liverpool are lucky that those previous performances under Klopp will help him retain some value.
Like most other players at the club in 2025/26, the way he has been managed has seen his value drop.
Just as other clubs might see something in him, so too might the new Liverpool manager, Iraola. A more front-foot, proactive approach, angular post-punk if not straight-up heavy metal football might see Gakpo start to up his output once again.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - Wednesday, January 21, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the UEFA Champions League match between Olympique de Marseille and Liverpool FC at the Stade Vélodrome. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Winning the ball back in advanced areas leads to attackers being in more advantageous positions when they receive the ball, and fewer opposition obstacles in their way as they try to do something with it.
It could see an end to the sometimes desperate long shooting that we’ve seen, not just from Gakpo, but also from Hugo Ekitike and others when they have found themselves faced with a low block in these inside forward positions.
Players should not be discouraged from trying long shots in certain situations, and they’ll remain a useful way of putting doubt in the minds of an opposition defence, but only if there is potential danger from them.
Towards the end of last season, you could see opponents were often happy to let Gakpo shoot from distance.
If Gakpo’s considerable shot power is accompanied by more confidence and the shots are into less traffic or closer to goal, then it can be a real weapon.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after his side scores the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 19, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates after his side scores the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, the 248th Merseyside Derby, at Bramley-Moore Dock. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
A player of Gakpo’s type, a tall inside forward with a powerful shot, is a useful part of a squad.
The main problem last season was that he was often asked to be the star player, which is a difficult job in the Premier League, one that even Mohamed Salah, one of the greatest Liverpool players of all time, struggled with.
If Gakpo’s status returns to that of a contributor to a wider plan, rather than someone expected to make things happen on his own, then he could start to recover some form and become a valuable squad member into 2027.
Best moment: Brilliant assist for Salah in the Merseyside Derby at Everton’s new stadium.
Worst moment: General lack of assuredness in play.
Role next season: Hopefully, a backup wide forward.
ROUNDUP COLLAGE
ROUNDUP COLLAGE
Football – U18 Premier League – Liverpool FC Under-18’s v Everton FC Under-18’s
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 7, 2026: Liverpool's captain Prince Cissé leads his side out before the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Everton FC Under-18's, the Mini-Mini Merseyside Derby, at Finch Farm. Everton won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Liverpool FC v Brentford FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah on his final match for the club during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)