Cody Gakpo may have just taught Jurgen Klopp a valuable lesson while on international duty

Cody Gakpo may have just taught Jurgen Klopp a valuable lesson while on international duty

Cody Gakpo may have just taught Jurgen Klopp a valuable lesson while on international duty

Sometimes there is a great disparity between how a player plays for the club team and then how they play for their national team.

A great case in example, is Cody Gakpo.

The Liverpool forward has been a really valuable part of the Reds’ squad this season. He’s already got 18 goal contributions for Liverpool in all competitions and has rarely missed a game due to injury. Based on those factors, it’s difficult to criticise him – Gakpo is delivering when it matters.

However, recently he has come under a little bit of criticism. Over the course of Liverpool’s last few games there is no denying, that especially, when Gakpo was introduced from the bench he has made little impact. Yet conversely, for his national team, Gakpo showed a completely different side to his game. Someone who didn’t look like he was out of form at all.

Netherlands v Scotland – International Friendly
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
What Cody Gakpo’s form can teach Jurgen Klopp
For the Netherlands, Gakpo has been one of the country’s most important players over the last few months, or even years. Ever since the World Cup, where he was the country’s top-scorer at the tournament in Qatar.

Meanwhile, in his last five games for the Netherlands, Gakpo also has five goal contributions (three goals and two assists). Including two brilliant assists against Scotland in the Netherlands’ most recent international fixture.

So why has Gakpo been able to become such a linchpin of the national team? The answer lies in how he is used. For Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp often deploys Gakpo with his back to goal playing as the focal point of the attack. However, for the Netherlands, Gakpo is used often as a wide left-winger.

Sometimes he is used centrally but often playing in behind a striker, which means he is more of a number ten rather than the nine that he is expected to play at Liverpool. This may offer a clue as to how to best utilise him in a Liverpool shirt as well.

Gakpo is much more effective when he can drop deeper and pick the ball up to advance into dangerous areas. He is less effective when playing with his back to goal. If Klopp wants to fully maximise Gakpo’s ability, then this is something that must be taken into consideration. Gakpo simply doesn’t have the strength at the moment to be a number nine. But he does have the speed and the technical ability to run at opponents and beat them with ease.

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Next Liverpool manager: Xabi Alonso says ‘yes’ to replacing Klopp but big snag emerges amid Fabrizio Romano ‘obsession’ claims
James Marshment 1 hour ago

Xabi Alonso is the top target to become next Liverpool manager

Liverpool have been given a significant lift in their quest to appoint Xabi Alonso as the heir to Jurgen Klopp after promiment broadcaster Richard Keys claimed the Spaniard has given the green light to the move – though an update on the situation from Fabrizio Romano perhaps tempers that belief.

The Merseysiders are now less than three months away from waving a tearful farewell to legendary boss Klopp, who will walk away from Anfield for a much needed rest after close to nine, intense and exciting years at the Liverpool helm. His last match in charge, however, is still to be determined and will either come at home to Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday May 19, or three days later, in the Dublin-staged Europa League final on Wednesday May 22.

The Reds would, understandably, love to bid farewell to their charismatic German coach with a big party in the nearest capital city to Anfield in what would prove a fitting farewell to Klopp’s Anfield reign.

DON’T MISS ~ Next Liverpool manager’s to-do list: Five major tasks for Klopp successor, from contracts to transfers

And while emotions are sure to get the better of many Liverpool fans, behind the scenes the club cannot afford to get too emotional and are well into the process of identifying – and hopefully appointing – his successor.

That task is being put in the very capable hands of the returning Michael Edwards, who is back at Anfield but this time with the more senior role of CEO of football.

Having landed on a new sporting director first up in Richard Hughes, the focus is now very much centred on landing Klopp’s heir – with former Anfield icon Alonso firmly in their sights.

However, persuading him to quit Bayer Leverkusen will far from a straightforward task.

Richard Keys says Xabi Alonso says yes to becoming next Liverpool boss
Indeed, TEAMtalk has revealed Alonso’s trepidation at stepping into Klopp’s very sizeable shoes at Anfield, while Bayern Munich are also very much hot on his heels and remain hopeful of persuading him to move across Germany to the Allianz Arena.

There is also the small matter that, after assembling a squad of players whom are unbeaten across 38 matches in all competitions this season, the 42-year-old will be loathe to leave a Leverkusen side who are very much strong favourites to win a first Bundesliga crown in their history.

However, we also understand that Edwards has put before Alonso’s people the offer of a three-year deal to become the next Liverpool manager and, in light of those claims, promiment broadcaster Richard Keys has now revealed that Alonso has said yes to taking the job.

That said, the beIN Sport anchor also claims that sealing a deal is another matter altogether.

“As I always say when I share news like this – these big deals can always go wrong,” Keys wrote on his blog. “There’s a lot to go wrong when they’re blue riband, whether it’s a player or coach/manager involved, but my information is that Alonso has decided on Liverpool.

“If I’m a Liverpool fan – that excites me.”

IN DEPTH: The all-conquering XI Liverpool could pick in 2024/25 if Xabi Alonso is appointed manager and with triple swoop on

Leverkusen goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky is also bracing himself for Alonso’s departure.

“That’s our wish and dream, for him to stay, but no-one would be angry or argue if he wins the Bundesliga and decides to go another route,” said Finland keeper Hradecky.

“We see on a daily basis that he loves to be in Leverkusen. He enjoys Dusseldorf where he lives. From another point of view: How can you make it better than this season?”

Next Liverpool manager: Fabrizio Romano divulges Liverpool obsession
Hradecky continued: “There’s a lot to ponder but he’s enough of a gentleman to make the right decision and only he knows what’s best for him.

“But the atmosphere he’s brought in Leverkusen, we didn’t have it before. I think it comes from the way he has experienced football.

“In Madrid, Liverpool – that’s the level we strive for every day. It was here when he came but it’s up here right now. The hype is definitely justified.

“It’s the best Leverkusen team I’ve experienced. We have 18, 19, 20 players – and it doesn’t matter who plays. There are a lot of different tactics. There’s a lot to take in from the opponents’ perspective. It’s hellishly difficult to play against us.”

Liverpool do have two other options if their move for Alonso fails with Roberto De Zerbi and, principly, Ruben Amorim also on Edwards’ wanted list.

However, their number one focus undoubtedly remains Alonso and trusted journalist Romano has underlined just how determined they are to land him, though admits his appointment will be far from easy.

“At the moment Xabi Alonso’s only focus, despite links with Liverpool and Bayern Munich, is on winning three titles with Bayer Leverkusen,” he began in his column for CaughtOffside.

“Earlier in the season, Alonso started to consider some possibilities, and there were enquiries to see his contract situation at Leverkusen, but for now his only focus is on finishing this season strongly.”

‘Situation around Liverpool target has radically changed’
Romano admits Liverpool will not have it easy landing their man despite a strong obession with getting it done.

Explaining how Leverkusen’s stance on Alonso’s exit has changed over the intervening months, Romano added: “In around December, the situation changed completely and Leverkusen understood that they had a real chance of winning the Bundesliga, and so Alonso is only focused on that. They are now the favourites, and they will also be looking at the Europa League as well, then after that we’ll see about his future.

“I don’t think it’s going to be easy to hear anything concrete in March or April.

“Also Alonso is under contract with Leverkusen and there is no specific clause for this summer, so it means clubs have to go there and negotiate and no one wants to distract them in this moment.”

Discussing how and why a move could happen, Romano concluded: “I’m sure Liverpool and Bayern are obsessed with Alonso and want to present their projects to him, but it’s really too early to know what he’s going to decide.

“I think it will depend on when they win the Bundesliga and how things go for them in the Europa League as well.”

Alonso has taken charge of Leverkusen in 75 matches since his appointment in October 2022, winning 50 of them, giving him a 66.67 win percentage.

READ MORE: Assessing Xabi Alonso’s 12 signings as Bayer Leverkusen boss: Arsenal gem; Man City, West Ham targets

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Liverpool to snub Xabi Alonso and make ‘surprise’ managerial appointment – after significant change at Anfield: report
By Ryan Dabbs published 2 hours ago
Liverpool could be set to cool their interest in Xabi Alonso, as a recent change at the club might make them look elsewhere

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso looks on ahead of Bayer Leverkusen’s Europa League clash against Qarabag in March 2024.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Liverpool could make a shock managerial appointment in the coming months that doesn’t involve Xabi Alonso, due to a new development at Anfield in recent weeks.

Xabi Alonso has been heavily linked to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool since the German manager announced his decision to leave the club in January, and a move has seemed nailed on for the last month or so now.

That might not happen, however, now that former sporting director Michael Edwards is back in a position of power at Anfield. Liverpool’s owners FSG appointed Edwards FSG’s CEO of football earlier this month, which will see him move into a more overarching position at the club where his remit will extend to overseeing the ownership’s purchase of another team.

Liverpool target Xabi Alonso of Bayer 04 Leverkusen looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between Sport-Club Freiburg and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Europa-Park Stadion on March 17, 2024 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Alonso has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield (Image credit: Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Having previously had a huge influence on signings at the club during his time as sporting director between 2016 and 2022 – such as the deals for Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson – a new report suggests that Edwards could have a similar impact in their hunt for the next manager.

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Indeed, according to ESPN’s Mark Ogden, Edwards might decide to make an unexpected appointment due to his contacts within football, therefore rejecting the idea of Xabi Alonso as the next Liverpool boss.

“I’ve been told that he’s one of the most connected people in the game. He knows the players that are coming through, the coaches that are coming through. He can pick up a call to this guy, to that guy,” he said.

Jurgen Klopp Signs A Contract Extension and chats with Sporting Director Michael Edwards and Mike Gordon FSG President and Liverpool F.C owner at Melwood Training Ground on December 13, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Edwards (left) was an important figure at Liverpool (Image credit: Getty Images)
“He knows six months before everybody else who the players are and who the coaches are. Which is why I think that he’ll pull a rabbit out of the hat with the next coach and it will be a surprise, it won’t be Xabi Alonso.

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“We’ll wait and see, but I think Edwards is very key to this in the sense that he is the guy who Liverpool have brought back because they know he’s good. They know he’s the best in the world at what he does.”

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Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture’s websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.

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Richard Keys says 42-year-old has now agreed to become Liverpool’s next manager after Jurgen Klopp

Richard Keys has claimed that he has information that Xabi Alonso has decided on whether he wants to become the new Liverpool manager this summer, as the Reds prepare to say goodbye to Jürgen Klopp.

Of course, the Liverpool job is one of the most exciting opportunities in world football. And Jurgen Klopp‘s successor will have the luxury of taking over a team which has challenged for the Premier League title this season.

Nevertheless, it is going to be a monumental task for the German’s successor. Klopp has done unbelievably to add his name to the list of legendary managers who have patrolled the touchline at Anfield.

Boss has reportedly agreed to become Liverpool’s next manager
So there may be some managers who have real reservations about stepping into such a prominent role so soon after Klopp. But perhaps one name has decided that he is ready for the challenge.

Alonso played under some of the world’s greatest managers. And he has that connection with Merseyside after enjoying a very successful spell with the Reds.

It has been suggested that Liverpool may spring a surprise and not go for Alonso. But writing on his blog, Richard Keys has claimed that he has been informed that the 42-year-old – who he previously tipped for the Manchester United role as a successor to Erik ten Hag – is ready to take the job.

Richard Keys says 42-year-old has now agreed to become Liverpool’s next manager after Jurgen KloppPhoto by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Richard Keys says 42-year-old has now agreed to become Liverpool’s next manager after Jurgen Klopp
Jordan Harris
Jordan Harris
Mon 25 March 2024 12:55, UK
Richard Keys has claimed that he has information that Xabi Alonso has decided on whether he wants to become the new Liverpool manager this summer, as the Reds prepare to say goodbye to Jürgen Klopp.

Of course, the Liverpool job is one of the most exciting opportunities in world football. And Jurgen Klopp‘s successor will have the luxury of taking over a team which has challenged for the Premier League title this season.

Nevertheless, it is going to be a monumental task for the German’s successor. Klopp has done unbelievably to add his name to the list of legendary managers who have patrolled the touchline at Anfield.

Boss has reportedly agreed to become Liverpool’s next manager
So there may be some managers who have real reservations about stepping into such a prominent role so soon after Klopp. But perhaps one name has decided that he is ready for the challenge.

Liverpool are monitoring Xabi Alonso as he continues to win admirers for his work with Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen are on course to win the Bundesliga title this season.

Alonso played under some of the world’s greatest managers. And he has that connection with Merseyside after enjoying a very successful spell with the Reds.

Sport-Club Freiburg v Bayer 04 Leverkusen – Bundesliga
Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
It has been suggested that Liverpool may spring a surp