Michael Owen gives blunt assessment on Cody Gakpo credentials ahead of Arsenal game
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Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has delivered a blunt but balanced assessment of Cody Gakpo ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal, questioning whether the Dutchman has yet shown the consistent quality to be trusted as the club’s long-term starting striker. While acknowledging Gakpo’s technical ability, composure and intelligence in the final third, Owen argues that the 25-year-old has not fully nailed down a defined role in the side or produced enough dominant performances in the biggest games to be considered an automatic pick through the middle.
Owen highlights Gakpo’s versatility as both a blessing and a curse, noting that his capacity to play across the frontline – left wing, central forward and occasionally deeper – has made him useful for managers but may have prevented him from specializing in one position and developing the ruthless edge expected of a top Premier League number nine. Owen suggests that being moved around the pitch can impact rhythm and confidence, particularly for a player still adapting to the pace and physicality of English football.
In comparing Gakpo to Liverpool’s most prolific forwards of recent years, Owen points out that the current side needs a more reliable source of goals in central areas, especially in tight matches against elite opposition like Arsenal. He questions whether Gakpo has yet shown the penalty-box instinct and consistency to be that player over a full season. At the same time, Owen stops short of writing Gakpo off, stressing that his age, attitude and work rate give him time to grow into the role.
Looking ahead to the Arsenal game, Owen frames the fixture as a significant opportunity for Gakpo to strengthen his case as a first-choice striker. A decisive performance in a high-pressure environment, he argues, would go a long way toward answering doubts about Gakpo’s credentials and proving he can be a key figure in Liverpool’s attack rather than a useful, but interchangeable, squad option.