Dutch rely on Gakpo to strike when it matters.

Dutch rely on Gakpo to strike when it matters.

With Memphis Depay sidelined due to an injury, the Netherlands will be looking to Cody Gakpo to lead their attack tomorrow as they host the Nations League semi-finals clash against Croatia.

Gakpo’s profile was greatly enhanced at the World Cup in Qatar late last year, after which he earned a lucrative transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp has moved him from left wing to centre forward since his move to the UK.

“I have become convinced that being a striker suits me,” said Gakpo, who added that several coaches had previously tried to convince him to make the switch but he had resisted.

“Guus Hiddink was the first. He spent a while at PSV as a sounding board, saw me play and said: ‘You have to become a striker or a false No. 9’. I didn't want to believe it then. And then when Roger Schmidt said the same thing later at PSV when he was coach, I was even more stubborn. It felt good on the left flank. But at the last World Cup I was already more central on the field and at Liverpool permanently in the past six months.

“It’s been good. I’m excited now to get better in the position in the near future, for the club as well as the national team.”