Liverpool player called 'easy target' as pundit claims criticism is too harsh

Cody Gakpo has struggled for form this season for Liverpool, but he netted his eighth goal of the campaign this weekend when he netted against West Ham at Anfield

Cody Gakpo celebrates with his Liverpool teammates after scoring against West Ham(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Former Liverpool star Jason McAteer says he has "sympathy" for Cody Gakpo, who netted his eighth goal of the season at the weekend as the Reds beat West Ham.

Gakpo has come under fire for his performances at times, and plenty were calling for Rio Ngumoha to replace him in the starting XI following a poor showing against Nottingham Forest.

But McAteer says Gakpo can be an easy scapegoat for fans sometimes when things are not going well for the team. The Dutchman has not been as prolific since signing a new contract at the start of the season.

"I've a slight sympathy for Cody," McAteer said on the official Liverpool FC podcast. "I think sometimes he can be unfairly criticized.

"When it’s not going well, I think he’s an easy target. He puts a right shift in and sometimes doesn’t get the credit he’s worthy of. He’s having quite a productive season, scoring goals."

Last term, Gakpo scored 18 goals, including 10 in the Premier League. He and Luis Diaz netted 35 times between them in all competitions, but the Colombian's exit has meant less competition for a spot in the team.

Jeremie Frimpong of Liverpool celebrates with Cody Gakpo(Image: Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images)

"Gakpo is kind of predictable," McAteer continued. "He’s right-footed, he comes in off the left, the gap opens up and he takes that opportunity.

"He’s maybe not as productive as last season but he’s still contributing a lot this season in front of goal and he gets his reward."

Gakpo is now one goal away from 50 for Liverpool and he will look to score in one of two games against Wolves that are coming up this week, the second of which is in the FA Cup.

"It’s not an easy season for the team," Gakpo said ahead of the West Ham game. "We were too inconsistent at times; to play one good game and then the level dropped significantly the next game.

"But I think the last few weeks were better performance-wise and result-wise, if you exclude the last game as a performance.

"I hope we can keep this momentum that we have a little bit with keeping clean sheets and winning the games — and to also perform better — to end the season in a good flow and then at the end of the season we can really assess how everything went."

Liverpool.com says: Gakpo does need to offer more in the final third for the Reds. He can score goals — he has proven that before — but they haven't come often enough to excuse the lack of impact in other areas this season. If he can find some form, it would be a big boost for Arne Slot.