Cody Gakpo is rivalling Jack Grealish but it's come at the expense of his Liverpool teammate - opinion
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Cody Gakpo has posted solid numbers this season, rivalling Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Everton’s Jack Grealish in one key area. But his playing style is impacting another Liverpool player.Amid Mohamed Salah’s lack of goals in 2025/26, the onus has been put on players like Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike to step up for the Reds.Despite Arne Slot not allowing the Liverpool forward to play in his preferred position, the Dutchman has four goals and three assists so far this term.As well as being their joint-top scorer in the Premier League, Gakpo’s creativity is among the best in the division.However, his playing style is not helping one of his struggling Liverpool teammates.Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesCody Gakpo is impacting Milos Kerkez’s Liverpool formAfter the latest round of Premier League fixtures, only Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes (24) and Everton’s Jack Grealish (20) have created more chances than Gakpo (19) in 2025/26.While it’s an impressive stat, it does drive home Arne Slot’s point about the former PSV man not linking up with Milos Kerkez enough.Kerkez has been described as a ‘problem’ for the Liverpool manager this season following a tough start to life at Anfield.Slot knows why the left-back is struggling, however, explaining pre-Brentford that Gakpo isn’t picking the right options enough, preferring to cut inside himself when the Hungarian is the better choice.He said: “We brought him [Kerkez] in as he brings a lot of energy to the game by going up and down.
They need to find their connection better than they already do.”This natural urge from Gakpo to cut inside has benefited him as an individual, as shown by the amount of chances he’s creating this season, but it has greatly hindered the impact of Kerkez, who has quickly become a scapegoat at Anfield. Photo by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesLiverpool fans agree on Cody Gakpo issueThe 26-year-old’s insistence on driving inside himself has become a major talking point among the Liverpool fanbase, who agree it’s not helping Kerkez.One fan wrote: “Against Man United, Kerkez passed to Gakpo 13 times, whereas Gakpo passed to Kerkez only once, ignoring his overlapping runs yet again.
Poor output, can’t beat a man, ignores his LB’s overlapping runs, only wants to cut in and shoot despite so many better options and players with abilities that eclipse his,” stated another.A third wrote: “People will say Gakpo played well but imo he is far too selfish for a winger, does not supply others.”People will say Gakpo played well but imo he is far too selfish for a winger, does not supply others— Andy (@AndyGil55324047) October 22, 2025 View Tweet Another suggested: “I think Gakpo is inhibiting Kerkez as much as the system is. Gakpo isn’t instinctive enough with his passing and holds on to the ball for too long allowing Kerkez’s marker to track back and block the channel for the pass.