Cody Gakpo has walked into a really difficult situation and it is way too early to judge his worth to this Liverpool side according to Michael Owen.
The Reds earned their first Premier League point of the new year with a dour 0-0 draw against Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Good chances were at a premium with both sides battling with their fragile confidence that sees them a long way off their best.
On paper the signing of Gakpo seemed to be a smart piece of business, the stock of the 23 year-old was high after a impressive World Cup for the Netherlands while also playing at a really high level for his club side PSV.
The fact that Liverpool were also short on numbers in the wide areas with both Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz out with long term injuries also indicated the need for fresh blood.
Any signing coming to a new league would love to adjust with a minimum of fuss and hit the ground running.
But that is often not the case and certainly in the case of the Dutchman it has a been tough beginning in his four appearances so far.
And with the way the Premier League is dissected from every angle and the easy accessibility of social media where everyone is seemingly an expert, it only takes a few below-par games for people.to ask the question if he is up to the level required.
Speaking after the game on Premier League Productions (via Metro), Owen said he felt for Gakpo.
"I feel sorry for him actually because he’s coming in to a team that are really inconsistent and drained of all the confidence that we’ve seen in the past.
“He had a couple of half-chances today [against Chelsea] and it’s clear he’s trying.
“I’m sure he’s going to be a good signing for the future but at the moment, I would defy even Lionel Messi to come in and look good in this team because it’s really struggling.’
Former Man City and Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips concurred with the opinion of Owen and said once the confidence comes for the Dutchman, it will be a different story.
“I think he’s trying to make an impact on games and have an influence.
“He is in a struggling Liverpool team right now and when that confidence is up, that’s when we’ll see the real Gakpo.
‘Especially when the ball retention is better from Liverpool, it gives him more time to get into the positions he wants to. They need to be patient with him."
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