Gakpo: I am still learning and developing my game   

He is an intelligent player who arguably struggles a touch to really fit into the side.

He does not offer the same dynamism as Nunez when he is through the middle and now we have a functioning midfield he is not required to drop back and try and link play way he was last season - and  he is less effective than Diaz wide or even Jota and he isn't as much of a goal threat as Jota.

That said his versatility is handy we've seen him used in midfield - where he is best may be an interesting one especially under a new manager and a potential new style of play. He has arguably looked best for us when he was doing the 'false 9' thing.

1 hour ago, 3 Stacks said:

He's like Havertz; he's tall and has a lot of ability but he doesn't take advantage of his height.

 

I think people just need to remember that he was signed to be a squad player and it was quite apparent from the beginning that he was going to be a tactical option rather than a dynamic, dominant forward.

To be honest, I am not even wanting him to be dominant. Just get his body in the way of the ball and be willing to take a kick and take the free kick. The only time he really seems to be willing to shield the ball, is when he thinks he can spin off a man into space. He has some great movement, a good knack of sniffing out 6 yard box goals. He just doesn't really seem happy or comfortable with a chance to get the ball or have possesion of the ball, unless he's in loads of space. Just a touch of the enthusiasm we've seen from Danns these last couple of weeks would be a start. 

I like him. He will have off days but plays his part. Not exactly a veteran at 24 so more to come I think.

He's quick of mind, and of feet, but he has no pace.  He is a good technician, but he lacks physicality.  His languid style doesn't endear him to the crowd.   He's not an attacker, he's a forward thinking midfielder. 

42 minutes ago, stringvest said:

He's quick of mind, and of feet, but he has no pace.  He is a good technician, but he lacks physicality.  His languid style doesn't endear him to the crowd.   He's not an attacker, he's a forward thinking midfielder. 

I'd say he's slow as well. But as part of the build up to the league cup final he did a piece and claimed he's the 4th fastest at the club as they record them in training. Maybe his style gives the impression of being slow, I don't know. But I was shocked when I heard it. 

Gakpo isn't slow

He isn't super quick and is a player that just needs time to get into his stride. He doesn't have that first 5 yards burst, but over 20/30yards he's fine

1 minute ago, Lee909 said:

Gakpo isn't slow

He isn't super quick and is a player that just needs time to get into his stride. He doesn't have that first 5 yards burst, but over 20/30yards he's fine

Speed over 2 and 3 yards is crucial as a forward though. 

3 minutes ago, Barrington Womble said:

Speed over 2 and 3 yards is crucial as a forward though. 

Agreed. Just saying he isn't slow, he's been clocked at just under 35 kilometres a hour on them stat things. Apparently Gakpo said in January he'd been clock as the 4th fastest in the squad by the stats lot

Solid player. Certainly talented enough as a squad member.

Be interesting to see what happens with both him and Gravenberch this summer.

Ljinders was/is a huge Gakpo guy. allegedly

On 02/03/2024 at 19:46, Strontium said:

I'm not convinced he'll ever be quite good enough; of our five established forwards I'd say he's certainly the least likely, and with the emergence of Danns, there's a question to be asked about whether he is surplus to requirements.

Fucks sake, we’ve seen more than ever recently the need for squad depth, he can and has played multiple positions and contributed vital goals along the way. 
 

No way should we getting rid of him. 

3 minutes ago, lifetime fan said:

Fucks sake, we’ve seen more than ever recently the need for squad depth, he can and has played multiple positions and contributed vital goals along the way. 
 

No way should we getting rid of him. 

Depends on the new manager and how they set up

6 hours ago, Lee909 said:

Gakpo isn't slow

He isn't super quick and is a player that just needs time to get into his stride. He doesn't have that first 5 yards burst, but over 20/30yards he's fine

'Super quick''

We've been through this with Kelleher and we go through it with Gomez all the time after a layoff.

Some players need a consistent run in the team to find rhythm and Gakpo is the one forward being asked to fill in all attacking positions and midfield this season while being in and out of the side.

He carried that No.9 position last season and was a big part of why we managed to finish as high as we did while still chipping in with double digit goals this season as a gap filler in the squad.

Dann's and Doak shouldn't be considered as anything but 6a and 6b in the attack for a year or so yet (one or both might even benefit from a year in the Championship).

An attacking group of Salah, Nunez, Diaz, Jota, Gakpo, Doak and Danns would be fine going into next season if we don't plan on looking at a left footed right sided attacker (and with Klopp going who knows if we'll still need one).

He’s not too bad on the left but let’s not pretend he’s anything but woeful as a no 9.

He cannot play with his back to goal as he hasn’t got the intelligence to play there. He’s too big and awkward and his turning circles the size of the centre circle. By the time he’s got the ball out from under his feet, the attacks broke down and the opposition are breaking. 

For someone his height, he carries next to no threat at all in the box. 
 

I do feel sorry for him. He’s spent his career playing as a left sided forward and we brought him in to a squad loaded with that type of player and have tried to squeeze him in anywhere but his best position. He even said himself he’s got not idea what our plans are for him and he does try his best. 
 

Wouldn’t be averse to letting him go if we can use the money for a more effective forward. 

I'm confused, what happened to needing 18 months - 2 years  to settle and being defended like a set upon child?

He's had to adapt to, and sacrifice his game for,  the team, not the other way around, and is still getting grief and calls to be sold.

11 hours ago, TheHowieLama said:

Solid player. Certainly talented enough as a squad member.

 

Be interesting to see what happens with both him and Gravenberch this summer.

Ljinders was/is a huge Gakpo guy. allegedly

Interesting you mention gravenberch too. They seem to have some quite similar attributes and similar weaknesses. I think gakpo frustrates me more of the two though, because I think he has a higher ceiling but just drifts too much and almost avoids getting involved in the game at times. 

I don't like the bobby comparisons, because he's nothing like him aside from being used in a false position at times and is certainly more a false 9 than a traditional 9. 

3 hours ago, Red74 said:

He’s not too bad on the left but let’s not pretend he’s anything but woeful as a no 9.

He cannot play with his back to goal as he hasn’t got the intelligence to play there. He’s too big and awkward and his turning circles the size of the centre circle. By the time he’s got the ball out from under his feet, the attacks broke down and the opposition are breaking. 

 

For someone his height, he carries next to no threat at all in the box. 
 

I do feel sorry for him. He’s spent his career playing as a left sided forward and we brought him in to a squad loaded with that type of player and have tried to squeeze him in anywhere but his best position. He even said himself he’s got not idea what our plans are for him and he does try his best. 
 

Wouldn’t be averse to letting him go if we can use the money for a more effective forward. 

What a load of rubbish. I'm so glad we have a manager and staff who know exactly what is needed to win football matches.

27 minutes ago, VladimirIlyich said:

What a load of rubbish. I'm so glad we have a manager and staff who know exactly what is needed to win football matches.

What bit have I said was rubbish. Dont be hiding behind the manager knows best shite. Let’s hear your opinion about him. I mean, this is a forum for discussion after all.

Klopp had absolutely no choice but to start Gakpo on Saturday. Not exactly a tactical masterstroke.

I'm putting it down to tiredness,  plus I think when the subs were made and he moved out of the centre he looked more useful. 

1 hour ago, Red74 said:

What bit have I said was rubbish. Dont be hiding behind the manager knows best shite. Let’s hear your opinion about him. I mean, this is a forum for discussion after all.

He is a top class professional footballer in a top class team. If he was so bad he wouldn't be within a million miles of this stellar football team and it's world class manager. It's a bit embarrassing when people on here criticise the lads as they are at a level only a few percent of the population even dream of reaching. And yes our manager does know best,thankfully.

20 minutes ago, VladimirIlyich said:

He is a top class professional footballer in a top class team. If he was so bad he wouldn't be within a million miles of this stellar football team and it's world class manager. It's a bit embarrassing when people on here criticise the lads as they are at a level only a few percent of the population even dream of reaching. And yes our manager does know best,thankfully.

So you couldn’t then

37 minutes ago, VladimirIlyich said:

He is a top class professional footballer in a top class team. If he was so bad he wouldn't be within a million miles of this stellar football team and it's world class manager. It's a bit embarrassing when people on here criticise the lads as they are at a level only a few percent of the population even dream of reaching. And yes our manager does know best,thankfully.

Might as well shut the forum down then eh.

He'll probably score against City at the weekend. I like him though like others on here he does frustrate me sometimes. Good squad option to have though.