The Dutch media was left unimpressed with Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo’s display for the Netherlands last night.
Holland picked up a 1-0 win over Ireland thanks to an early goal from Wout Weghorst and Cody Gakpo started from the off.
The 24-year-old played in an advanced midfield role just behind the striker but failed to impress on the night.
Indeed, Gakpo was replaced by Joey Veerman in the second-half after an underwhelming display.
And it’s fair to say the Dutch media were critical of the Liverpool star’s latest international performance.
Dutch media unimpressed with Gakpo’s latest international showing
Football Oranje handed Gakpo a 5.5 rating for his display and noted that he was wasteful in front of goal last night.
The outlet wrote: “Not a good performance from the Liverpool man, who was the first to be substituted.
“Snatched at shots and even got in his teammate’s way at times. He did create chances but not at the level we expect from him.”
Voetbal Primeur were slightly more generous as they gave the Dutchman a six out of 10 rating.
The outlet notes that Gakpo was just beginning to find his feet in the game before being replaced around the hour mark.
They wrote: “Before half time Gakpo was searching, in the second half he seemed to loosen up.
“With his speed he regularly managed to escape the Irish defense. Yet Gakpo was the first to leave, much to his own disappointment.”
Gakpo has struggled to break back into Liverpool’s front-three after picking up an injury against Tottenham back in September.
The former PSV man has been used in a midfield role on occasion this season, with Jurgen Klopp naming him in his midfield three in the win over Brentford last weekend.
Klopp has already lauded Gakpo for being an extremely versatile player. But you get the feeling that his best position lies further forward, rather than in midfield.
While he wasn’t at his best for Ronald Koeman’s side last night, that is probably down to a lack of minutes at Liverpool since his return from injury.