Former Liverpool player launches defence of Cody Gakpo and urges fans to leave 'easy target' alone
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Discuss: Liverpool sacking Aaron Briggs saved their season They've been SO much better since he left… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA While some of the criticism has been justified, plenty of it has been over the top, and according to former Liverpool player Jason McAteer, fans should stop unfairly targeting Gakpo whenever the Reds play badly.Gakpo doesn’t get the credit he deservesGakpo got the luck he has been missing on Saturday as his tame effort deflected off Aaron Wan-Bissaka and beyond Mads Hermansen. And speaking to The Official Liverpool Podcast post-game, McAteer explained why he was delighted to see the 26-year-old find the net.“I’ve a slight sympathy for Cody, I think sometimes he can be unfairly criticised,” said the scouser.“When it’s not going well I think he’s an easy target.
He puts a right shift in and sometimes doesn’t get the credit he’s worthy of. “He’s right-footed, he comes in off the left, the gap opens up and he takes that opportunity.
He’s maybe not as productive as last season but he’s still contributing a lot this season in front of goal and he gets his reward.”READ MORE: Liverpool ready or Anfield chance missed? A lovely human being, a great fella.” Change my mind: Frimpong is now Liverpool’s best right winger He did more in 13 minutes vs West Ham than Salah did all game 😶 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Dan Mullan Analysis: Is Gakpo getting a rough ride?Ahead of Liverpool’s clash against West Ham, Rousing The Kop chartered where things have gone wrong for Gakpo at the club.Despite McAteer’s pleas to fans, there is no question that the Netherlands international has been well below his best this season, and his continued selection has not helped them pick their form off the floor.Nevertheless, Gakpo is not the only one who has struggled this term, and it probably is true that the good things he does get overlooked by the majority of supporters.Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesSaturday’s goal was his 49th for Liverpool, with one more taking him to half a century.Having hit double figures in each of his two full seasons with the Reds so far, Gakpo is just two away from doing the same once again.