The Flying Dutchmen
When you have an epiphany during a football match.
I had an epiphany at Anfield last night. While sat watching Liverpool dismantle Tottenham Hotspur — eventually winning 4-0 — I had a moment in which I realised that I liked Cody Gakpo. I was like, yeah, I actually do.
That sounds pretty harsh from my end. I mean, I’ve never had anything against the player. We don’t do agendas on this Substack. I’ve just never particularly enjoyed watching him that much, always finding myself wanting more, for some reason.
But I’ve changed my perception on him. Or perhaps, rather, Arne Slot has changed my perception on him. And he’s done the same with Ryan Gravenberch, too, who was also excellent against Spurs.
The two Dutch internationals painted themselves as passengers last term — drifting through most of Jürgen Klopp’s final campaign in charge — but now, they are both main characters on Merseyside.
In case there was ever any doubt, tactics are important in this sport.
Klopp has blood on his hands in this case. Upon signing Gakpo, he pretty much used him everywhere except his favourite spot, truly believing in his ability to perform through the middle.
To be fair, Gakpo’s frame and athleticism suggested as much. He’s just too tall to be a wide forward, right? He’s a midfielder. He’s a target man. But no, the 25-year-old attacker is good at specific things. Not as versatile as you think, just good at repeating certain tricks.
Slot has reinstated him as a wide forward and presented him with a platform to show off. Cut inside, shoot from distance, beat your opponent on the dribble, cross towards the back post. Do your thing.
Indeed, Gakpo posted a grand total of just 38 crosses across his first 18 months in the Premier League. For context, he’s already amassed 54 this season. His rate has more than doubled. Get players to do what they’re good at.
For arguably the first time in his Liverpool career, Gakpo has reached a point now whereby you kinda know what you’re getting when he’s on the pitch. And perhaps best of all, even when he’s having a quiet game, he’s still proved to be capable of scoring or assisting. That’s what you want.
