Cody Gakpo isn't pretending the start to his Liverpool career has been ideal.
Six games in, there has been only one win, and no goals - not what he or Jurgen Klopp anticipated when he signed from PSV in the January window having shone for Holland at the World Cup.
Even the new Dutch national team manager Ronald Koeman has weighed in, claiming it was too early for Gakpo to make the move and that an experienced 28-year-old would cope better in the trying circumstances.
Fortunately, 23-year-old Gakpo isn't the brittle type and comes from strong sporting stock with dad Johnny having played international football for Togo and mum Ank rugby for Holland.
His Dutch team-mate Virgil van Dijk scored his first Liverpool goal in a Merseyside derby so he's hoping history can repeat itself when Everton come to Anfield on Monday.
'I'm an attacking player so I like to score goals and give assists,' he says emphatically. 'When you don't, anyone would be lying if they said it didn't affect them.
'You are judged on that so it's something I need to get back as quickly as possible.
'It would be amazing to come into a team that won every game but I don't think it's bad to come into this situation. During times like this you improve things you don't know about yourself.
'We know we have to improve and start winning. We have so much quality but we all have to step up as a team.'
He also has a nice response to Koeman that it was too soon to make the £35million move to Anfield.
'When I got the opportunity to come to a massive club like this, I don't wait for five years more!' he smiles. 'I see it more as a challenge.
'It's my first transfer and of course I have to adapt. I might make certain movements on the pitch that the other players don't know.
'For example, what Thiago does when he gets the ball, maybe I have to move a little bit differently. It's just learning about each other and getting better.
'I think everybody knows we are a little bit struggling in every area so it is more difficult for a new player to come in. But that doesn't stop me from trying to improve. I can do a lot more.
'For me, I see every difficulty as a possibility. I realise you don't have all the time in the world so it's up to me to perform and figure it out as quickly as possible, even though I might not have the best relationships yet.'
Certainly, Klopp needs someone to start firing. Having been without Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and van Dijk with long-term injuries, Liverpool sit mid-table and have been beaten 3-0 at Brighton and Wolves in the past month.
Gakpo scored 16 times for PSV and Holland in the first half of the season and can play anywhere along the front line. At Liverpool, he's mainly been on the left covering Diaz but in Qatar he starred at centre-forward.
'Wherever it is, the most important thing for me is to get on the ball, turn and run at opponents. That's where I am most dangerous,' he says.
Having been linked with the Premier League since the summer, the final act of joining Liverpool was done quickly, fielding calls on Boxing Day surrounded by his nieces during a family Christmas get-together.
'I nearly went to Leeds in the summer but Louis van Gaal (Dutch manager at the time) advised me that a change of team before the World Cup might be difficult so I decided not to go,' he explains.
'To be honest, the speculation affected me a little bit because it was the first time it had happened to me. I just had to think 'forget about it, play your best and see what happens later on'.
'Then when I heard about interest from Liverpool in the winter (before January transfer window), I didn't think about anything else. There was also Chelsea maybe but I already had my mind made up.
'This is a good place for me to improve and develop and eventually show who I can be.'
Ironically, his manager at PSV, former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, wanted him to go to Old Trafford rather than Anfield but Gakpo says there is no bad blood between them.
'It was just his wish I went to a big club and I think I achieved that,' said Gakpo. 'We have a good relationship and still speak some times on the phone. He tries to help me.'
In Eindhoven, Gakpo was also able to hear about the footballing passion on Merseyside from PSV sporting director Marcel Brands, who used to work at Goodison, and defender Jarrad Branthwaite who is on loan from Everton and been linked to Liverpool.
Now Gakpo is about to find out first-hand in a match both teams can't afford to lose, with Liverpool getting further away from the European places and Everton in a relegation battle.
'This is my first derby in the UK. I can not wait,' he says.
JFboo
0
Why you backtrack yourself on the champions league discussion, maybe Odegaard is playing golf....think before you speak next time
oh I've forgotten Arsenal too have 2 champion s league trophy
ManUnited-Red
0
hlo
What
Jaucepsy
0
Cody is a midfielder not a striker, Klopp isnt use him on the right position that's he's not performing very well,if we're watching Liverpool games right ,when Cody playing in the mid the great change you see
Vicdeiknop
1
Shut up Poor form is affecting your foot to score abi You missed some chances against Chelsea and other teams you have played with since your arrival As a Liverpool fan I don’t like you, you should be on the bench Fabio carvalho is better
And you are irrelevant. you don't deserve to be a liverpool fan. fake plastic fan.
Vicdeiknop
0
But antony to me is better than him
better in spinning 🤣🤣
Vicdeiknop
4
fake plastic fans. once Liverpool start winning and our players start playing the best football...Then you are number to shout praises. Know your role and shut the hell up. Liverpool will bounce back. Give the new players time and next season this guy's will flourish.
Vicdeiknop
0
No Cody your poor form has made it hard for the club
fake plastic fans
besceinruy
0
See your life now after turning down Manchester United request.
Yutabcetyz
0
foolish by cody
sahbcdelp
0
and Weghost is floppro
weghost has come on loan now gapo has been bought thank you Lord 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
AbdulZaks008
1
flop one
and Weghost is floppro
kozabkloy
0
What if he came to Man United? 👀
hlo
sahbcdelp
0
flop one
bedabclryz
4
Things would be getting better soon while Everton may be the first casualty. You will never walk alone.
momenhuda
0
You start Liverpool because Liverpool poor form, if Jota Dias Firmino fit you must benchd.
momenhuda
0
1st he is not No9 or winger, his place is behind stricker No10 role. this place not in Liverpool system, he must adapt as left winger.
petdilnpty
1
prmeleg england
ranking10
0
Them tell am he nor hear
IronBorn
0
Forget about the clubs form he is neither giving his all on the pitch either.
Niucikmpru
0
You play like school boy CG
yosadelouz
3
No Cody your poor form has made it hard for the club
malablata
0
but at least all of them have a champions league to show. now I understand why Chelsea give you people Jorginho cuz u people are looking for the one with champions medal
Why you backtrack yourself on the champions league discussion, maybe Odegaard is playing golf....think before you speak next time
FranciscoWilliams
0
The guy was just overated and it good he never came to man united.
Zoydiprz
1
I agree with Cody, there must be a progressive momentum to gel or integrate with the current team. They must make him feel the game.
JFboo
1
Their form is not poor in everything, they remain masters of the 'turn back' defending....😂😂😂
[image]
but at least all of them have a champions league to show. now I understand why Chelsea give you people Jorginho cuz u people are looking for the one with champions medal
Dobabcelrs
0
you must regret to not join Manchester United. who knows tomorrow
Swayyy
1
I would have preferred him at United, instead of Antony.
Antony is a better winger but his end product still need development, Gapko is a natural goalscorer. We need more goal scorers at United, Rashford can keep carrying the weight, that’s why I hope will sell Martial and get Oshimen 🙂
Faebckly
0
u will have to apologize to Manchester United firs
Zocairsz
0
I would have preferred him at United, instead of Antony.
But antony to me is better than him
Zocairsz
0
Hold up mate FYI Gakpo never disrespected Man United.Liverpool simply capitalized on the greed of the United owners and United brokeness..
And how many goals does he hv again??😂😂😂😂it was actually a blessing in disguise thank u liverpool for signing a player u didnt even need and left the midfield exposed😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃
Swayyy
0
He will answer all those shifts very shortly. Have patience. let Diaz, Jota, Firmino, VVD retun, then the film will start.
Film will start next season, okay
Swayyy
1
I would have preferred him at United, instead of Antony.
Bacbeilo
0
hater's will always hate, leave the young man alone... we are Liverpool we will rise again hater's
how will there leave him alone? Do u wants him to wake alone?
lehkmnprz
1
OMG you guys couldn't clicked wake up football isn't a one man team
Liybeirs
2
He will answer all those shifts very shortly. Have patience. let Diaz, Jota, Firmino, VVD retun, then the film will start.
Aerospace08
2
I'm not laughing 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭
Tobisma_LFC
2
Shut up Poor form is affecting your foot to score abi You missed some chances against Chelsea and other teams you have played with since your arrival As a Liverpool fan I don’t like you, you should be on the bench Fabio carvalho is better
ManUnited-Red
1
What if he came to Man United? 👀
Kayodesteve
3
Their form is not poor in everything, they remain masters of the 'turn back' defending....😂😂😂
[image]
U are always pained about Barcelona
Tobisma_LFC
2
Their form is not poor in everything, they remain masters of the 'turn back' defending....😂😂😂
[image]
This guy should stop posting this picture everywhere The picture is bigger than the whole of Arsenal
cedabdkstu
0
You never see something
pibaeipuyz
4
hater's will always hate, leave the young man alone... we are Liverpool we will rise again hater's
kioacknsu
1
he rejected man u, and now football is rejecting him too.
KahunaLII
0
guys listen to this words no player disrespect man untd and go free just check history
Hold up mate FYI Gakpo never disrespected Man United.Liverpool simply capitalized on the greed of the United owners and United brokeness..
meoabdlosz
1
guys listen to this words no player disrespect man untd and go free just check history
SMHellas
1
Excuses. I was not sold on him for United and this move proves it. Weghorst has had more impact, and that's saying something
Naycdknr
2
Their form is not poor in everything, they remain masters of the 'turn back' defending....😂😂😂
[image]
says the fan of a small club that has ZERO champions league.
malablata
2
When a 23 year old boy speak with confidence than a Barca poor mentality affected Koeman, then we know that the Dutch National team is about to experience the dark ages. Koeman was a monster as a player, but he's coward as a coach.
malablata
6
Their form is not poor in everything, they remain masters of the 'turn back' defending....😂😂😂
Lisiknopsz
4
Get going though you're in a rival club but sometimes you need to follow your heart before making fake decision I don't say Liverpool is a bad club I respect them but the truth you where destined for united not Liverpool that's the truth