Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has to start for Arne Slot after what happened on Tuesday
Liverpool forward Gody Gakpo produced a man-of-the-match performance for the Netherlands in their 3-0 win over Romania at Euro 2024 [BBC Sport, 2 July].
The Netherlands made easy work of Romania and eased through the round to set up a quarter-final clash against Turkey on Saturday 6 July.
Gakpo has been in incredible form for his country at the European Championships, which will be catching the eye of new Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
After last night’s performance, he is now the joint top goalscorer of the competition.
Cody Gakpo has to start for Liverpool next season
Gakpo underwent a relatively mediocre season at Anfield last term.
He played mostly as a striker as he was shuffled around the side with Jurgen Klopp preferring to start Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez.
But he is proving his value for Slot with the national side as one of the standout performers of Euro 2024 on the left wing.
As per Sofascore, he was awarded a 9.1 match rating for his performance against Romania and has the second-highest average match rating of the tournament with 8.18.
Only Spain and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Fabian Ruiz has higher with an 8.77 average rating.
Gakpo scored the opening goal against Romania to take his tally to three goals in four games – cutting inside and firing past Florin Nita at the near post.
He set up the second of the game, outmuscling Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin and squaring the ball to Donyell Malen to double their advantage.
The Liverpool man could have had more as he had a goal rightfully ruled out for offside and Joey Veerman shot wide after his backheel pass.
Gakpo was a livewire all night completing 100 per cent of his dribbles and winning 80 per cent of contested duels.
On top of that, he created three key passes that led to two big chances in the match.
He continues to impress in his preferred position as he looks to fire the Netherlands to Euro 2024 glory.
In other Liverpool news, Arne Slot’s transfer plan at Anfield has already been shared.
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