‘Things don’t go your way’ – 22-goal striker admits Liverpool are struggling as he now eyes the Golden Boot

Cody Gakpo is on course to win the Golden Boot at Euro 2024 after scoring in the Netherlands’ 3-0 win over Romania to reach the quarter-finals.

The Liverpool striker is the tournament’s top scorer with three goals. And while Georgia’s Georges Mikautadze, Slovakia’s Ivan Schranz (who were both eliminated from the competition) and Germany’s Jamal Musiala can match such totals, Gakpo tops the charts thanks to the fact that he also boasts an assist.

Such form is a continuation of a strong end to the season for the Dutchman, who forced his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI in the final month of the campaign and registered two goals and two assists in five appearances.

READ MORE: Manuel Ugarte reveals truth about scandalous Liverpool transfer rumors after agent speaks out

READ MORE: Anthony Gordon could inherit Liverpool’s famous number – but can’t have his own name on the shirt

Combine such returns with his recent international exploits and he boasts five goals and three assists in his last 10 appearances. Meanwhile, his overall totals in 2023/24 for club and country stand at a combined 22 goals and nine assists from 64 outings.

However, such numbers could have been even more impressive had it not been for a challenging mid-season stretch. After starting the campaign as first choice, Gakpo lost his place after picking up an ankle injury against Tottenham Hotspur in September and has taken time to rediscover his best form.

While he scored five goals in his first 10 outings of the season, along with another five in his most recent 10 appearances, the remaining 12 goals came in a 44-game stretch between late October and mid-April, when he woke up. in and out of Klopp and Dutch boss Ronald Koeman’s starting XIs.

But now enjoying a strong international run, Gakpo thanked the Liverpool players and staff for helping him bounce back in the spring.

“Those moments are normal for a player, they don’t always go very well and they go the way you like,” Gakpo admitted at a press conference, acknowledging his past struggles.

“Sometimes you have a spell (where) things don’t go your way but to be honest I’ve got a great team at Liverpool, great people who are always there for me and everyone when you have those moments. They still believed. in me, he has been helping me with everything.

“I think the last, I don’t know how many, games of the season at the club I made some good plays as well. I just took that with me and continued to work very hard. I’m very happy that I can be of value to the team.”