Gakpo’s Liverpool Future Under Fresh Scrutiny After Sunderland Struggle
Liverpool’s season has already featured enough turbulence to unsettle even the most patient supporters, and Cody Gakpo has become the lightning rod for much of that frustration. The Dutch forward was expected to kick on under Arne Slot after Liverpool’s Premier League title in 2024-25, especially with a more consistent starting role this term. Instead, the meeting with Sunderland at Anfield offered another reminder of his stalled development.
Slot’s Assessment of Gakpo’s Display
Slot has been loyal to Gakpo despite increasingly vocal irritation from supporters. Goals and assists have been steady, yet the performances have rarely matched the numbers. Against Sunderland, that discrepancy became too significant to ignore.
Gakpo began the match on the left, yet lasted only 45 minutes before the Liverpool manager acted decisively. Slot explained his decision with unusual clarity, saying: “In my opinion, Cody struggled to dominate the one-v-ones.” He added: “I felt in the first half Cody struggled to find that moment because it was hard for him to dominate the one-v-one or get crosses in.”
The tactical reshuffle that followed, with Mohamed Salah entering and Florian Wirtz shifting into a prominent creative role, immediately gave Liverpool more spark. The 1-1 result still left supporters disappointed, yet the change spoke loudly about where Gakpo currently stands in Slot’s thinking.
Numbers Reveal A Deeper Problem
The underlying data from the Sunderland match provides a stark picture. Gakpo produced 0 chances created, 0.04 expected goals, one shot that failed to hit the target and only one attempted dribble which did not come off. He managed just 26 touches and won only one of four ground duels. For a player tasked with giving Liverpool penetration and unpredictability from the left, this was a performance lacking in both influence and conviction.
Slot acknowledged structural considerations too, noting: “In the first half we played with Szoboszlai off the right to be defensively strong enough not to concede enough as we did in the last few weeks. I changed it to Mo on the right side and then played with Florian Wirtz off the left.” The shift instantly created more balance and variety in Liverpool’s attack.
Ekitike Emerges As A Genuine Alternative
With Luis Diaz sold in the summer and no replacement secured, the left flank has been one of the season’s biggest puzzles. Gakpo’s continued predictability, cutting inside on his right foot time after time, has made Liverpool easier to defend against. Opposition full backs, particularly Sunderland’s on Wednesday evening, read his movements with ease.
The solution may now lie with Hugo Ekitike. His pace, movement and willingness to attack space align more closely with how Slot wants Liverpool to operate. If Slot can integrate Ekitike alongside Alexander Isak on a consistent basis, Liverpool will gain the kind of fluidity that Gakpo has not been able to deliver. Supporters have sensed this for weeks and Slot appears closer than ever to accepting it.
Gakpo remains a valuable squad option, yet the evidence is mounting that his starting place can no longer be justified. Sunderland may have been the tipping point. Slot’s comments and his adjustments suggest a changing landscape on the left side of Liverpool’s attack and a manager preparing to move forward decisively.
