Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has suggested that Cody Gakpo is struggling to adapt to life with Liverpool despite joining the club in January.
Speaking to Voetbal International, the former FC Barcelona coach hinted that the 24-year-old winger might need more time to settle with the pace and quality of the Premier League.
Gakpo joined Liverpool in a reported £35m deal from PSV Eindhoven, and despite Koeman’s comments, the attacker has been quite the hit for Jurgen Klopp since arriving.
With seven goals and three assists in 30 appearances, the 24-year-old has been quite impressive for the Reds, yet Koeman has another opinion on the Dutch superstar.
The Holland boss said: “You have to understand that Gakpo is still a young player. When he first went to Liverpool, the team was struggling and that made it difficult for him to make a quick impact.
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“If you join a team that is doing well, then you have a chance to come in when the moment is right, but Liverpool needed something quickly and that was tough. You have to give him that time to develop and to adapt to the Premier League because it’s a different level.”
Koeman’s Liverpool comments on Gakpo are quite mental
Koeman is no stranger to speaking out of line or having an unusual take on a situation, and the former Everton manager has certainly managed that with his comments on Gakpo.
Whilst the winger hasn’t set the world alight in the Premier League, few Liverpool fans will suggest that Gakpo has struggled to adapt to life in England considering the club’s struggles.
Indeed, Gakpo is one of the shining lights at Liverpool, and the winger is only getting better with each passing game for the Reds in the Premier League.