Liverpool fans have spent weeks debating formations, midfield issues, and defensive chaos. But one problem has quietly grown in plain sight, and it may be more damaging than many expected. Cody Gakpo, once viewed as a rising star and a key scorer last season, is struggling badly on the left wing.
The numbers, the eye test, and the tactical problems all point in the same direction and the timing could not be worse for Arne Slot, who is already under pressure.
The frustration peaked again in the defeat to PSV, where Gakpo’s display raised questions about whether the left flank is helping Liverpool or holding them back.
The concerns were not about effort. They were about impact. And impact is exactly what is missing.
Why is Gakpo struggling so much on the left?
Gakpo’s energy is not the issue. His productivity is. He is involved often, but the final action seldom lands where it should.
This season, he has started 14 of Liverpool’s 17 games across the Premier League and Champions League, scoring four goals and supplying three assists.
On paper, that looks fine. But a deeper look tells a very different story.
His lack of pace and predictable inside-cutting have become easy for opponents to read. Against PSV, he and Milos Kerkez looked out of sync, causing moves to break down repeatedly.
A moment that summed up his night came when he ignored a shooting chance, only to misplace a pass to Kerkez — triggering visible frustration from the crowd.
Fans may joke that Liverpool’s left side has gone from “cutting inside” to “cutting corners,” but the concerns are real.
Do the stats prove the problem is bigger than it seems?
Yes — the numbers paint a worrying picture.
Gakpo is active but inefficient. He takes nearly three shots per 90 minutes, ranking in the top 11 percent among Premier League wingers. But only a small fraction hit the target. His shots-on-target rate sits in the bottom 38 percent among his positional peers (stats via FotMob).
The story is similar with his crossing. He attempts plenty but lands very few. His cross accuracy is just 12.8 percent — one of the lowest in the league for starting wingers.
Dribbling has not been a strong point either. He completed only one of four dribbles against PSV, showing that beating defenders one-on-one is no longer a reliable part of his game.
For a player expected to be a difference-maker, the efficiency gap is too wide to ignore.
Is this only about Gakpo or a bigger system issue?
There are external factors. The constant rotation at left-back has affected chemistry. The team’s form overall has dropped. And Liverpool’s struggles are not limited to one player.
But even with those points considered, Gakpo’s decline in end product is clear. Last season, he delivered goals in big moments.
Without that scoring touch, his limitations become more visible. And without Luis Díaz to challenge him, the pressure to deliver is greater.
Recruitment may become part of the conversation. It is no surprise that names like Antoine Semenyo are being mentioned as potential upgrades.
What Anfield Home thinks?
Gakpo is a good player, but Liverpool need a great one on the left right now. The lack of dynamism, the predictable patterns, and the poor final ball are all hurting the team. Slot’s system relies on wide players who stretch defenses and create danger.
At the moment, Gakpo is doing the opposite. Unless his form turns quickly, Liverpool may have to explore new options in the upcoming windows.