Pundit Thinks He's Figured Out Why Cody Gakpo 'Divides Opinion' at Liverpool After Fulham Draw

A prominent pundit has offered a compelling explanation for why Cody Gakpo continues to polarize Liverpool fans following the dramatic 2-2 draw against Fulham at Craven Cottage on January 4, 2026. Despite scoring a late goal that appeared to secure victory for the Reds, Gakpo's overall performance highlighted the inconsistencies that leave supporters divided.[5]

The match was a rollercoaster. Fulham struck first in the 17th minute through Harry Wilson's clinical finish after a flick-on from Raúl Jiménez caught Liverpool's defense off guard. Liverpool struggled in a lukewarm first half, with Gakpo guilty of missing early chances—including a low shot blocked by Joachim Andersen and a wide effort from Curtis Jones' clever pass. He also headed against the post from a Dominik Szoboszlai cross but was flagged offside.[2][4]

After the break, Liverpool mounted pressure. Florian Wirtz equalized with his second league goal, assisted by Conor Bradley's footwork. Alexis Mac Allister headed against the bar from a corner, signaling growing promise. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, Gakpo darted into the six-yard box to shovel home Jeremie Frimpong's perfect cross, sparking wild celebrations and what seemed a priceless winner.[2][3][4]

However, joy turned to heartbreak three minutes later as substitute Harrison Reed unleashed a stunning 30-yard strike into the top corner, salvaging a point for Fulham and denting Liverpool's top-four hopes under Arne Slot.[4]

The pundit argues Gakpo's divided opinion stems from his boom-or-bust nature: flashes of brilliance like the winner contrast with wasteful finishing and inconsistent positioning. While capable of match-defining moments, his inability to dominate games fully frustrates fans expecting more reliability from a key forward. Player ratings reflect this split, praising his goal but critiquing earlier misses.[1][5]

Liverpool's draw extends their winless run, raising concerns over attacking bluntness amid a congested schedule. Gakpo's late heroics offered hope, but the pundit insists true redemption requires sustained excellence.[5]

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