Cody Gakpo is the first player from Liverpool to message Arne Slot before their meeting. Arne Slot had other commitments on Sunday, as his Feyenoord team was playing PEC Zwolle in the early evening of the Eredivisie.
Although he will eventually see everything, it is irrelevant whether or not he saw any of Liverpool’s 4-2 victory against Tottenham when it was happening. After all, being a football nerd does not make you stand at the top of the application list to become Liverpool’s next manager.
When Slot watches the match, he’ll be amazed by the performance of his fellow Dutchman, Cody Gakpo, who was once again selected by Jurgen Klopp and put on a strong show.
Mo Salah’s first goal came from Gakpo, who teasingly crossed the ball for the Egyptian to head in, giving the score a lead that had been building. Later in the half, he made it 3-0 with a header at the Kop end, another classic strike from a center-forward.
Gakpo’s experience at Liverpool has been enjoyable because he joined the squad in January last year, just when it was at its lowest point.
He has curiously played his most excellent Liverpool football lately. Still, in the last few weeks, he has started to perform admirably when Klopp has rightfully used him in attack rather than Darwin Nunez, partly because of Nunez’s poor form.
The Dutchman’s confidence has probably increased as a result of that choice alone, and he is ending the season strong ahead of a summer when he will be joined at the club by Slot, whose Feyenoord teams faced Gakpo back when he was dominating the Dutch league with PSV Eindhoven.
A robust and conventional No. 9 has been a critical component of Slot’s favourite lineup in his current squad. Mexican Santiago Gimenez has performed admirably in that role over the last two seasons, scoring 47 goals.
Many have speculated that Nunez may be the best fit for him at Liverpool, and if everything eventually works out, it still might, but for now, Gakpo is the man wearing the shirt, and rightfully so.
Slot will likely be pleased with what he sees when he eventually watches the game, as Gakpo’s impressive form comes at a useful time. The forward is quick and robust, presses like a demon, and can head the ball impressively, as he did for his goal. He is the complete package and has an essential future at the club when he is in form.
Credit: Mirror
