Arne Slot just received Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool model

Three Liverpool players were full of delight as the Netherlands kicked off Euro 2024 with a 2-1 win over Poland in Hamburg.

Ronald Koeman’s side looked certain to be held to a draw by their opponents in their Group D opener, although late substitute Wout Weghorst arrived to find the winner. Captain Virgil van Dijk was on the pitch at the time and took part in happy celebrations with his national team.

Ryan Gravenberch watched the match as an unused substitute, while Cody Gakpo thought he had been ruled out of action shortly before – but not without a major impact of his own.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp has already decided his next move and should ignore his own warning from Liverpool

READ MORE: Luis Diaz on the receiving end of a horror attack that sparks mass brawl and two red cards

After Adam Buksa’s header had put the Poles ahead, Liverpool’s number 18 hit back to equalize for the Dutch before the break. After being fed by Man City’s Nathan Ake, the 25-year-old burst towards the 18-yard box before hitting a powerful shot which was deflected past Wojciech Szczesny by a defender.

In addition to his goal, he completed the match with five shots – the most of anyone involved and two of which were on target – as well as 53 touches, an 85 per cent pass success rate, four out of four dribbles successful and four aerial duels. won. Most importantly, Gakpo did all of this when playing on the left wing.

This was the Dutchman’s natural position for his national team and PSV Eindhoven before he joined the Reds in January 2023. He continued to be used there, although he was seen more frequently in Jurgen Klopp’s side as a designated centre-forward.

Competition is strong at left wing, with Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez also capable of playing there, but a system change under new head coach Arne Slot could see a move back to the position that brought Gakpo’s name to the fore clubs from all over Europe. The supporters who watched today’s game certainly think so.

Gakpo was even used as a central midfielder at the start of the 2023/24 campaign – perhaps when he struggled most in a Liverpool shirt. Slot’s arrival may mark a new beginning for the forward, and once he returns from his national team exploits, it will be interesting to see how the new man in the dugout looks to use his countryman.