It was a sad ending for Liverpool duo Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo after the Netherlands suffered a very late defeat to England at Euro 2024.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins broke Dutch hearts when he scored a stoppage-time winner to send England to the final.
A total of four Liverpool players were representing both sides – Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez – they were unused substitutes by Gareth Southgate.
No Upcoming Fixtures
Whilst Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk played the entire game, with the former chasing the Golden Boot after his three goals leading up to the semi-final.
Many thought Gakpo looked like a different player at Euro 2024 and has thrived on the left-hand side under Ronald Koeman.
But he failed to have an impact in a game against some very familiar faces, with his tournament now coming to a crashing end and van Dijk reacting on social media to the England defeat after several controversial calls.
Before the game, Gary Neville was discussing the Netherlands’ forward line and comparing it to the old days.
Marco van Basten, one of the greats of the game, was mentioned, as well as their most recent stars, such as Arjen Robben.
But Neville issued the brutal reality to the likes of Gakpo and how he is ‘nowhere near’ those players of the past, as he told ITV Sport.
The Manchester United legend thinks the 25-year-old, who has scored 15 Premier League goals in 56 matches, is ’still finding his feet’ at Anfield.
Cody Gakpo and Marco van Basten
“Where have these centre-forwards gone,” asked Neville, as they watched back old footage of van Basten.
“That van Basten goal was iconic in all our childhoods (volley in Euro 1988). It was unbelievable. You just have to think. Where have these centre-forwards gone? These classic centre-forward. We need them back. Harry Kane is probably similar and Lewandowski. But there are very few. Now more flexible forwards and a bit more mobile. You can’t beat a centre-forward like that. Proper player.
“It’s interesting, for this tournament for Holland, you talk about Bergwijn, who struggled a bit at Tottenham. You have Depay, who struggled at Manchester United. Then you have Gakpo, who is still finding his feet at Liverpool, yet their front three for Holland would be nowhere near the Dutch teams of yesteryear. Even the teams that had Arjen Robben in them and players like that. They were sensational.”
Cody Gakpo under Arne Slot
After working with a Dutchman all summer long, Gakpo will return to Liverpool and look to progress under Arne Slot.
The new Liverpool boss has begun work ahead of the new season kicking off in August and it’s going to be interesting to see how he uses his fellow countryman.
READ MORE: 50 MOST LIKELY PREMIER LEAGUE, EFL AND EUROPEAN SUMMER 2024 FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
For large parts, Gakpo was outstanding at the Euros, but all as a left-sided winger.
Jurgen Klopp loved using Gakpo down the middle on several occasions, but he just couldn’t make the desired impact.
You feel Liverpool fans would prefer their player to start on the left, but Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez can also occupy that role.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
