Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has said he believes Cody Gakpo may have made the move to Liverpool too early in his career.
Cody Gakpo was signed for £37m from PSV Eindhoven during the January transfer window following some eye-catching World Cup performances in Qatar. However, he has failed to live up to expectations thus far.
Koeman speaks on Gakpo's disappointing start at Liverpool
The 23-year-old is yet to score a single goal or register an assist for the Reds and has not even won a game with his new club despite making six appearances.
Speaking on Andy van der Meyde's YouTube show, the new Netherlands coach Koeman - who took over after the World Cup - stated that the move to Liverpool perhaps came too soon for Gakpo.
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"The level in England is higher than in the Netherlands, but they are also young boys, aren't they? Like [Ryan] Gravenberch going to Bayern and not playing. Then that is difficult.
"You can see that, that he [Gakpo] has ended up in a team that is not doing well. Then it becomes more difficult for him, as a new signing. You are tested right away. And if you don't score or you're not important and you don't win any matches, it's very difficult, especially for a young player. If that was someone aged 28 with experience, it would be different."
Big picture for Gakpo
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Gakpo will be hoping he can open his goalscoring account for Liverpool when the Reds welcome Everton to Anfield for the Merseyside derby on Monday night.