Pundit Jermaine Jenas has admitted being baffled after watching Cody Gakpo’s first-half display for Liverpool against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Cody Gakpo looked ‘lost’ as Liverpool struggled in the first half against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon.

That’s the view of pundit Jermaine Jenas, who was speaking to TNT Sports as Liverpool headed to Molineux (16/09, 12:55pm).

Liverpool were pretty dreadful in the first half and fell behind to Hwang Hee-chan’s goal from a superb Pedro Neto run.

Jenas drew particular attention to Gakpo though, stating that he looked like he didn’t even know where to be on the pitch.

Jenas suggested that Gakpo looked ‘lost’ and wasn’t getting into the box enough for a central striker.

“Gakpo, I’m watching him… he’s running around like he doesn’t know where to be. He’s had seven touches in the game, the fewest out of any player on the pitch so far. If it’s somebody like Nunez, you go ‘he’s just going to make runs in behind’, and I know as a midfield player that I’m going to put it into the channel for him to chase, we’ll get up the pitch, win a few corners, we’ll help each other out. I’m watching him and he just looks lost. Even now, he should be in the six-yard box for a tap-in,” he added.

Cody Gakpo still blowing hot and cold for Liverpool

Gakpo was a big signing for Liverpool in January as they paid £37million rising to £40million to land him from PSV Eindhoven.

We have seen some really good things from Gakpo; his display against Manchester United at Anfield last season springs to mind.

It still feels like Gakpo is finding his way in the Premier League though, given the leap in quality from the Eredivisie.

Saturday’s game against Wolves was a perfect example.

Gakpo was virtually anonymous in the first half as he struggled to really get involved for the Reds.

The Dutchman then popped up in the right place at the right time to bring Liverpool level, his last involvement before being substituted.

Jurgen Klopp will hope to minimise those low points moving forward though with Liverpool looking for a little more consistency from Gakpo.

Gakpo faces major competition this season

Gakpo dropped into a number 10 role after the break as Luis Diaz came on for Alexis Mac Allister.

The versatility is great to see but Gakpo faces a battle in all of the positions he likes to play.

Diaz is clearly Liverpool’s best option on the left flank right now having started the season in decent form.

Through the middle, Diogo Jota offers something of a fox-in-the-box option whilst Darwin Nunez is just so dangerous in behind.

Gakpo has played in midfield too but Liverpool added four options over the summer in Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch.

The competition for places is fierce at Liverpool and Gakpo may need to step it up a little in order to keep a starting role.

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