'You have to understand' - Ronald Koeman blames 'struggling' Liverpool for Cody Gakpo form
Cody Gakpo will learn and improve as he continues his Liverpool career, says Holland manager Ronald Koeman.
The Dutchman has been on target for Oranje in both of their European Championship qualifiers as they returned to winning ways. Going into the September internationals, Koeman was facing pressure after winning just one of their four games after the World Cup however they rose into contention with back-to-back wins over Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Gakpo has suffered in the opening four Premier League matches for Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp has been forced to field a makeshift midfield with the former PSV Eindhoven captain filtering into the midfield three.
In their encounters against Greece and in Dublin on Sunday, the 24-year-old returned to the front three as he was moved back over to the left-hand side - after predominantly featuring down the middle when selected as part of Liverpool's strikeforce.
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The January signing levelled proceedings at the Arriva Stadium against Ireland after Adam Idah fired the hosts in front from the penalty spot. Former Manchester United loanee Wout Weghorst scored the winner for Holland as they moved up to second behind runaway leaders France.
Koeman noted his own struggles managing in the English top-flight, comparing them to Gakpo's recent difficulties, but insists that the forward has a great future.
"You have to understand that Gakpo is still a young player," said the former Barcelona manager prior to their win. "When he first went to Liverpool, the team was struggling and that made it difficult for him to make a quick
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