Cody Gakpo suggests he wants new Liverpool role after breaking 47-year Netherlands record

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Cody Gakpo has sent a clear message to Arne Slot after his record-breaking performance for the Netherlands.

The 26-year-old scored a brace and added an assist in the 4-0 win against Malta in the World Cup qualifier match on Thursday evening.

Gakpo disappointed in his last Dutch outing during the September international break, but the forward’s display helped extend his country’s unbeaten record in Group G.

He has emerged as the undisputed option on the left flank at Anfield since Luis Diaz departed for Bayern Munich in the summer, although Liverpool supporters have criticised Gakpo at times this year.

However, he now has his sights set on an important role for the Reds and has suggested he could be the perfect man for the job.

Cody Gakpo has eyes on penalty-taking duties at Liverpool

Gakpo became the first Netherlands player since Rob Rensenbrink in 1978 to score two penalties in a single match.

In an interview after the match, as relayed by Algemeen Dagblad, the Liverpool forward emphasised his near-perfect penalty record throughout his career.

“I was allowed to take the penalty because Memphis wasn’t on the pitch. There wasn’t really a clear agreement on who would take it; it was up to me and Wout Weghorst.

“At Liverpool, I’m never allowed to take them. But normally, I’m pretty good at it. I’ve only missed a penalty once. That was for PSV against FC Copenhagen.”

Mohamed Salah is the main penalty taker at Anfield – the Egyptian scored a crucial penalty against Burnley earlier this season to record a last-gasp 1-0 win at Turf Moor.

However, he missed what proved to be a decisive spot-kick in the penalty shootout loss against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, a week after sending a penalty over the crossbar in the final pre-season friendly.

While there is little chance of Gakpo taking on penalty-taking duties over his Liverpool teammate, Salah has missed eight penalties in matches since arriving at Anfield, although he has scored 47.

Gakpo has become important for Liverpool this season, and although Arne Slot could turn to the Dutchman should Salah not be on the pitch to take a penalty, there is unlikely to be a change in penalty-taking duties this year.

How does Cody Gakpo compare to Mohamed Salah?

Indeed, Gakpo has a slightly better penalty conversion rate than Salah, but he has taken 56 fewer spot-kicks than his teammate.

Gakpo has scored one penalty for Liverpool during the 3-2 loss against his former club PSV in the Champions League last season.

However, Salah has an excellent record from 12 yards for the Reds, and while he is prone to the occasional miss, he rarely misses when it matters on the big occasion.

Slot will be pleased to see Gakpo stake his claim for penalty-taking duties. The boss has lost both of his penalty shootouts against Palace and Paris Saint-Germain; hopefully, Gakpo can help buck that trend this season.