Dutch media change their stance on Cody Gakpo as Virgil van Dijk reaches milestone in 4-0 win

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The Netherlands beat Lithuania 4-0 on November 17, with Liverpool duo Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk starting the fixture.The Oranje have booked their place at the 2026 World Cup, with both Liverpool players having a key role in their final clash of the November international break.Last week saw the Netherlands draw with Poland, and the Dutch media were not pleased with Gakpo.The winger was dubbed ‘predictable’ and his insistence on cutting inside every time he picked up the ball was called out in their press.But the verdict coming out of the fixture on Monday has been much more complimentary.Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty ImagesCody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk praised as the Netherlands beat LithuaniaAD called Van Dijk ‘a proud, strong, and true captain’ after he made history by overtaking Frank de Boer as the player to take the armband on the most occasions for the Netherlands.Elsewhere, Voetbal Zone gave Van Dijk a 7 rating in the 4-0 win, while Gakpo was one of the top-rated players on the day.The Liverpool forward scored a penalty on Monday and, along with Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders, was handed an 8.5.Meanwhile, Pierre van Hooijdonk claimed after the match that Gakpo has actually been the Netherlands’ best player in qualifying. As per Voetbal Zone, he said: “I actually think Gakpo is the best player in this qualifying campaign.

“And even before that, actually. He’s just so strong, his physique is top-notch.

And he also has his own individual moves.” Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool place looks more stable nowPrior to the international break, Arne Slot suggested that Hugo Ekitike could play on the left.That claim comes amid Alexander Isak returning to training and the Dutch manager needing to try and find a way to fit both players into the same team.However, Ekitike struggled for France in their most recent outing when he was deployed on the left.Gakpo, on the other hand, looked much more competent in the Netherlands’ triumph, likely doing himself no favours when it comes to maintaining a starting berth at club level.