'Fantastic' Liverpool player achieved a rare feat with his country last night and sent a message to Arne Slot

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Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo was the star of the show for the Netherlands on Thursday as he hit a brace against Malta.Gakpo has not had the easiest of starts to the season with the Reds, struggling for lift off amid a disjointed front line.However, the 26-year-old ended the second portion of the season on a high after scoring against Chelsea last weekend, and took that form into international duty on Thursday.As they have tended to be recently, both of Gakpo‘s goals for the Netherlands were from the penalty spot, the Liverpool No. 18 stepping up to put his team two ahead in Malta.A goal is a goal no matter how it arrives, though, and the double should give Gakpo confidence to take back to Anfield.And the former PSV Eindhoven man may be even further buoyed to hear that he actually achieved something not seen since 1978 with his penalty brace.Photo by Molly Darlington – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesCody Gakpo matches 48-year-old Netherlands featWhile he does not tend to be the shiniest light within the Liverpool squad, Gakpo is a hugely important figure for the Netherlands.His record of 17 goals in 43 matches is impressive, and the left winger often seems to be the man his team look to in digging them out of a hole.READ MORE: Verdict delivered on Jeremie Frimpong’s right wing Netherlands display after Liverpool doubtsThat includes taking penalties, with Gakpo assuming duties twice against Malta.And as per data gatherers OptaJohan, the Liverpool star is the first Netherlands player to score two penalties in one game since Rob Rensenbrink at the 1978 World Cup.While not all fans will put a huge amount of stock in Gakpo scoring two penalties against lowly opposition, this fascinating statistic goes to show it is not as easy as it looks.With some question marks arising about his place in the Liverpool starting XI, Gakpo should at least have answered some of his critics.Gakpo sends clear message to Arne SlotAs well as giving his own confidence a boost, Gakpo’s two goals should show Arne Slot that he is still deserving of his place in the Liverpool team.Some supporters would prefer to see the slightly more dynamic Federico Chiesa given a chance on the Liverpool left, but Gakpo has once again underlined why Slot likes him.Despite a lack of confidence surrounding the Reds right now, Gakpo stepping up twice when his country needed him suggests he is not struggling in that respect at the moment.Goal-scoring is a good habit to get into, and after finding the net three times in two games, Gakpo has shown Slot that he should be his go-to left winger.It may have only been Malta, and it may have only been penalty goals, but this was a step in the right direction for a player who really felt to need it.