Gakpo and Isak's potential to shine at the World Cup for Liverpool
June 22, 2026 · Global
Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak put in impressive performances at the World Cup, signaling their huge potential for Liverpool under new coach Andoni Iraola.
After Alexander Isak impressed for Sweden with his best performance in their World Cup opener against Tunisia, Liverpool fans were hoping for more. The spotlight now turns to Sweden's second match of the tournament, against the Netherlands, where the striker will face his club captain, Virgil van Dijk. However, more attention was on the opposite side of the pitch, as Cody Gakpo showed how much he means to the front line. After appearing less than impressive against Japan in the opening match, the Dutch striker recovered by scoring two goals and providing one assist in the 5-1 win over Sweden.
Gakpo, along with a number of his club teammates, had a difficult season with Liverpool. After scoring 18 goals and seven assists in 49 appearances during the 2024-25 season that saw Liverpool win the title, his contribution dropped to nine goals and six assists in 52 games as Liverpool finished fifth. Many fans began to grow tired of Gakpo's unpredictable playing patterns, and as the season progressed, a bad joke emerged that whenever he got the ball on the left, he always cut inside.
This is an important part of his skills and, when done at the right moment, can be very effective. However, too often last season, he lacked awareness of what was on the outside (usually an overlapping Milos Kerkez), and forced too much, even when opponents doubled the pressure on him. This reflects the mood surrounding Gakpo after last season, where there was speculation about his future. However, with Mohamed Salah gone, Federico Chiesa expected to leave, and Hugo Ekitike still recovering from an Achilles injury that will likely keep him out until 2027, additional attacking depth is needed rather than letting one striker leave.
The club has completed the signing of versatile striker Victor Munoz from Osasuna to strengthen its options up front, and continues to pursue a deal for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande. It's not about drawing big conclusions from one game against a Swedish team that was lucky to qualify for the tournament and didn't put up much of a fight. Nonetheless, new head coach Andoni Iraola hopes this is the version of Gakpo he will be working with next season. Tournament football for his country was where Gakpo truly shone. At the 2022 World Cup — two months before he completes his transfer from PSV to Liverpool — he scored three goals. He scored the same total, plus one assist, at the 2024 European Championship, setting the tone for the following season for Liverpool.
Gakpo's first real involvement against Sweden was a watershed moment. After Brian Brobbey passed the ball to Tijjani Reijnders, who then freed Gakpo on the left. This left the winger one-on-one with the opposing full-back, and once he entered the box, instead of cutting back inside, he played a measured cross to Brobbey. This was a boost for Gakpo, who too often last season got the ball when the opposition defense was organized and in a low block due to a lack of direct play. His self-confidence increased. He's been a constant outlet, and there's clarity and unpredictability to the game whenever he gets the ball, even though what he tries doesn't always work.
However, his two goals were typical Gakpo finishes. The first goal appeared when he arrived at the back post for a simple tap-in from a ball played low across the face of goal. Denzel Dumfries is the bait supplier. One of the defining combinations in Liverpool's championship-winning season under Arne Slot was Salah supplying Gakpo's cross at the back post. That connection was rarely seen last season, and reviving the winger-to-winger connection should be a high priority for Iraola as he looks to revive the attack.
The second goal saw him perform a series of moves that were exactly what you would describe if you were asked what a typical Gakpo goal looked like. He took the ball on the left, cut inside, beat Gustaf Lagerbielke's challenge, and fired at goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt without hesitation. Due to injuries to Isak and Ekitike, Gakpo ended last season playing as Liverpool's No 9, but it was clear that his best position was on the left wing. He will face stiffer competition for a place in the team than last season, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha now a year older and the left side being Munoz's preferred side. That should be an advantage, like when he competed with Luis Diaz under Slot. If whoever plays on the wing is connected to the World Cup version of Isak, their job will be easier too.
Sweden may have suffered a tough defeat, but 26-year-old Isak continues to thrive after missing almost all of last season due to injury. He wanted to be the scorer, but Isak took on the role of facilitator after a hydration break in the first half. Before that, he and Viktor Gyokeres were seen isolated at the front. He threatened to add to his two assists from the opener on three consecutive occasions with a progressive pass that set up Gyokeres twice and then Yasin Ayari. This provides another insight into how Isak can be used in open play and shows that he is more than capable of dropping into space and providing vital passes to those running behind him. His link-up with Gyokeres and Ayari also shows the importance of having players around Isak. That doesn't mean Liverpool have to switch to a two-striker system — although that was part of the plan on certain occasions when Isak, Ekitike and Florian Wirtz were signed last summer — but it does reinforce how important it is to have a cohesive attacking unit. Isak finally got the result when he sent Newcastle's Anthony Elanga through to score a consolation goal just before the hour mark. There are no guarantees, but if Iraola inherits Gakpo and Isak in this form, and continues to add quality and depth to the squad, Liverpool's attacking outlook for the upcoming campaign will look much healthier than it did a month ago.