Dutch media deliver verdicts on Cody Gakpo after Netherlands return

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Cody Gakpo returned to international action with the Netherlands last night in their 3-0 win against Gibraltar, with the winger coming on at half-time for Georginio Wijnaldum.

The Liverpool winger missed Holland’s opening qualifier for Euro 2024 against France due to a short illness, with multiple members of Ronald Koeman’s team, including the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, missing the clash in Paris due to what an expected food poisoning.

With the Netherlands losing their fixture to France 4-0 in one of the Dutch’s worst results in recent years, a response was needed in Rotterdam against Gibraltar, and the hosts did just that, winning 3-0 as Gakpo returned to action from the bench.

Gakpo returns to the Netherlands with second-half Gibraltar cameo

With Gakpo establishing himself as one of the best players in Holland’s current squad, many were excited to see the attacker back in action, though the Dutch media’s verdict on the winger’s performance has not made for interesting reading, to say the least.

VotebalPrimeur wrote on the Liverpool man’s display: “Gakpo was fresh enough to play a half after a food poisoning. In that half he was unable to make much of an impression and was unable to attract the Orange game.”

Indeed, the forward managed just 44 minutes as Gakpo was introduced with the Netherlands already 1-0 up, with a brace from Nathan Ake sealing the win for the hosts. And with the Liverpool star returning from food poisoning, it makes sense why the attacker was hardly at his best.

Despite the uninteresting cameo for Holland, though, many Liverpool fans will be delighted to see Gakpo now match-fit having missed the last Netherlands match against France, with the attacker now a strong contender to face Manchester City on Saturday.

With this fixture one of Liverpool’s biggest of the season, the Reds will want as many fit players as possible for the trip to Manchester and Gakpo’s return could not have been timed more perfectly for the Anfield side.