Cody Gakpo was one of Liverpool's most criticised players last season under Arne Slot, with his inconsistent performances and poor finishing frustrating a large section of the fanbase. Some supporters even accused Gakpo of receiving more opportunities because of his shared Dutch connection with Slot, while others believed he should have been sold instead of Luis Díaz, who joined Bayern Munich and has since looked absolutely world-class.
Eventually, Slot was sacked, and many expected Gakpo to be one of the players who would leave Liverpool as part of the club's next rebuild. However, things have changed dramatically.
Gakpo's Revival Under Iraola
Interestingly, Gakpo looked like a completely different player for the Netherlands at the World Cup. He finished the tournament with three goals and an assist in four games, showing the confidence, attacking threat and finishing ability that Liverpool supporters had been waiting to see consistently.
Even then, plenty of Liverpool fans remained unconvinced.
Fast forward to the current season, however, and Gakpo has arguably been Liverpool's best forward so far. The Dutchman looks like a player with something to prove, and that motivation could be extremely important for both Liverpool and FPL managers.
One of the biggest positives for Gakpo is the arrival of new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola. The Spaniard has developed a reputation for improving attacking players and taking wingers to another level, making his appointment particularly intriguing for Gakpo.
Perhaps nothing sums up Gakpo's revival better than what happened before the deadline. The same player many Liverpool supporters wanted to see sold was reportedly relieved when his proposed move to Manchester City ultimately collapsed. That change in sentiment says a lot about how quickly perceptions around the Dutchman have changed.
Gakpo's Versatility Is Another FPL Plus
Another major reason to consider Gakpo is his versatility. Although primarily used as a winger, Gakpo is also capable of playing as a striker when required. This could become particularly important if Alexander Isak fails to impress over the long run or suffers another injury.
If that situation arises, Iraola would have a very obvious alternative in Gakpo, potentially giving the £7.0m midfielder an even more attractive attacking role.
For FPL managers, positional flexibility can be extremely valuable. A player who can operate both wide and centrally has more routes to regular minutes and attacking returns, particularly when playing for one of the Premier League's strongest attacking teams.
Can Gakpo Reach 20 Goal Contributions?
Gakpo's historical Premier League numbers make this an interesting proposition.
The Dutchman has generally contributed in the region of 12-15 goals and assists per Premier League season. His previous campaign produced seven goals and five assists, while he recorded 14 goal contributions the season before and 13 in his first full campaign.
Those numbers suggest that Gakpo has already established a relatively reliable floor.
The question now is whether Iraola can help him take that next step. For a player who has consistently operated around the 12-15 contribution mark, this could be the season where Gakpo finally breaks through the 20-goal-contribution barrier. If he maintains his current form, there is even a possibility that he could surpass it.
That would make £7.0m look extremely cheap in hindsight.
Should You Buy Cody Gakpo in FPL?
There is obviously still an element of risk involved. Gakpo's previous inconsistencies cannot simply be ignored, and football can change quickly. His minutes, position and role could also evolve as the season progresses.
However, that is exactly what makes him such an interesting FPL differential.
At £7.0m, Gakpo offers the possibility of significant long-term value if his current form continues. He is playing for one of the Premier League's biggest clubs, appears to have the confidence of his new manager and has already demonstrated that he possesses the ability to produce goals and assists.
As it stands, Gakpo looks like a unique differential who could reward FPL managers immensely over the long term if everything goes right and luck favours those willing to take the risk.
The choice is ultimately yours, but there is no denying that Cody Gakpo's progress under Andoni Iraola will be one of Liverpool's most fascinating subplots this season.
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