Liverpool have seven players into the Euro 2024 quarter-finals after the Netherlands breezed past Romania on Tuesday.
It has not always been a straightforward tournament for Reds players so far, with several yet to even get on the pitch.
But for those that have, success is now not too far away. With more than half-a-dozen players with four different nations, there’s a good chance at least one Liverpool player will lift the trophy.
If the Netherlands can do it, then three members of the Liverpool squad will get their hands on the silverware.
And if that’s what eventually happens in Munich on July the 14th, then the Dutch will have a heck of a lot to thank Cody Gakpo for.
Liverpool teammates react to Cody Gakpo goal
Gakpo has been superb from the left-wing for the Netherlands so far this summer. The 25-year-old is showing exactly where Arne Slot should play him next season.
During Gakpo’s 18 months playing under Jurgen Klopp, the former PSV Eindhoven forward was deployed all over the place.
Klopp himself even admitted to regret at having not nailed down a position for his No.18 at Anfield much sooner.
For the Netherlands, Ronald Koeman has decided that Gakpo should playing from the left cutting onto his right foot. And it has worked a treat.
READ MORE: Cody Gakpo suggests Liverpool teammate is the best passer he has ever seen
The latest example came just 20 minutes into Tuesday’s last-16 tie with Romania. Taking the ball at a tight angle inside the penalty box, Gakpo drove at his man, cut inside and beat the goalkeeper at the near post.
It was a lovely goal which put the Liverpool attacker level with Jamal Musiala, Ivan Schranz and Georges Mikautadze at the top of the tournament’s scorers list. Netherlands went on to win 3-0.
After the game, Gakpo shared a post on his Instagram account with some shots of him celebrating the goal. Liverpool teammates Kostas Tsimikas and Conor Bradley were impressed. Tsimikas left a heart emoji, while Bradley went with love heart eyes along with a single heart.
Ryan Gravenberch also left an emoji-based response, while Stefan Bajcetic commented ‘Player’ alongside a flame.
Cody Gakpo looking like a ‘different player’
Gakpo had a decent season with Liverpool during his first full campaign on Merseyside. You can’t argue too much with a 16-goal term. Klopp even deemed Gakpo to be a ‘really special’ player.
And yet there has still been a feeling that the Netherlands international has not quite been an overriding success at Anfield.
Part of the reason for that is that Gakpo was in and out of the starting XI. With Luis Diaz ahead of him on the left and Darwin Nunez usually getting the nod upfront, Cody was left to play utility man. That should change next season.
Gakpo has shown that he is Liverpool’s best left-winger right now. That has to be his position moving forward.
As Daniel Sturridge said after the game on Tuesday, Gakpo looks like a ‘different player’ at this tournament. Part of that is down to the position he is playing.
Slot will be watching on and taking notes.
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