Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has urged Liverpool fans to remain patient with Cody Gakpo, who has had a somewhat sluggish start to the new season.

2M75YW7 Cody Gakpo #18 of Liverpool during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match Liverpool vs Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 7th January 2023 (Photo by Steve Flynn/News Images)

Gakpo made appearances in Liverpool’s starting lineup for the first three league matches of the campaign. However, for the recent 3-0 victory against Aston Villa at Anfield, he was replaced by Darwin Nunez.

The 24-year-old forward is yet to register a goal or an assist for Jurgen Klopp’s squad in the current season. Nevertheless, he has showcased his scoring prowess while representing the Dutch national team, finding the back of the net in both of their European Championship qualifiers, helping the Netherlands secure victories.

“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 impact.

“If you join a team that is doing well, then you have a chance to come in when the moment is right, but Liverpool needed something quickly and that was tough.

“You have to give him that time to develop and to adapt to the Premier League because it’s a different level.

“I know from my time in England that the intensity is much higher than he used to play in Holland but he’s young and he will learn and he will be better, but he has a great future. You can see his quality.”

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