Cody Gakpo, the Liverpool forward, has emerged as a shining star in the ongoing Euro 2024. His stellar performance has not only led the Netherlands to the quarter-finals but also positioned him as a strong contender for the Golden Boot.
In their recent victory over Romania with a scoreline of 3-0, Gakpo played an instrumental role by scoring one of those goals. This achievement has propelled him to lead the race for the coveted Golden Boot award. Despite stiff competition from Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze and Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz, who have both exited from the tournament, it is Cody Gakpo who holds an edge due to his additional assist.
Gakpo had strong finish with Liverpool also
Gakpo's impressive form isn't limited to this tournament alone; he had a strong finish in this season where he reclaimed his spot in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI during its final month. In just five appearances during that period, he contributed two goals and two assists.
Taking into account his recent international performances along with club matches, he has amassed five goals and three assists in his last ten outings. Across the entire 2023/24 season, combining both club and country performances, his tally stands at an impressive total of 22 goals and nine assists from just 64 matches.
Ronald Koeman's strategy for integrating Cody Gakpo
The Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman recently shared insights on how he plans on integrating Cody Gakpo following his successful stint at Euro 2024. While details about this strategy remain undisclosed as yet, it is clear that Koeman recognizes Gakpo's potential and aims to utilize it effectively for future games.
Ronald Koeman, Netherlands manager, said:
“First, his position is on the left side because he is really dangerous if he comes one-against-one with the right full-back.
“Inside, outside, he has his qualities, he’s strong. He’s playing at a great level at this tournament.
“He’s maybe the [most] important player until now, and I hope that the rest can come to that level. Yes, he can play as a striker, but he has shown today that he’s most dangerous from the left side.”
On another note, expressing gratitude towards those who helped him reach peak form during springtime was Gakpo himself. He thanked the players and staff at Liverpool for their support and guidance.
Cody Gakpo's performance in Euro 2024 matches has been nothing short of spectacular, making him a player to watch out for in future games. His journey from reclaiming his spot in Liverpool's starting XI to leading the race for the Golden Boot at Euro 2024 is an inspiring tale of resilience and hard work. As sports fans eagerly await more action from this rising star, they also look forward to seeing how Ronald Koeman plans on leveraging Gakpo's skills in upcoming matches.
