Comparing Cody Gakpo's 2022-23 stats with Liverpool forwards

Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Cody Gakpo - but how does the young striker compare to the options currently available to Jurgen Klopp?

Gakpo has established a reputation as one of the promising young strikers in European football, and it has long been clear that he was destined for a big change after his form at PSV.

Leeds United and Southampton reportedly came close to signing the 23-year-old striker this summer, but the player himself has decided to stay at the Eredivisie club.

The move has been confirmed, with a number of top clubs - notably Liverpool's former rivals Manchester United - pursuing his signing. But Liverpool appear to have won the race, with PSV announcing they have accepted an offer.

"The 23-year-old striker will leave for England shortly, where he will go through the necessary formalities before the transfer is finalised," the Dutch giants announced.

Gakpo has been in sensational form this season, scoring 13 goals and providing 14 assists for his club in all competitions.

He has since captured the world's attention with a stunning finish during the Netherlands' World Cup campaign, having scored in each of their group stage outings.

“If I have a choice, I prefer summer, but it can also be now, you know there comes a time when you can't say no,” said his manager at PSV, the former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"It's wonderful the way he presented himself. I enjoyed watching him [at the World Cup], he deserves it because of the way he behaved, the way he continued to work and perform.

"I was able to help him very closely and that makes me proud. I will give him his way when he comes.

"There were rumors about the whole period and I admire that in him a lot. He works daily on his development, plays in games and reaches his level.

"He's not distracted, he's focused on the games he has to play and focused on his next games. For a youngster like him, it's really special to see that attitude."

Liverpool are relatively well provisioned when it comes to their forward options, but they could certainly do with another option. Roberto Firmino is out of contract this summer and could leave Anfield after eight years of service. Diogo Jota has struggled with injuries and barely played, while Luis Diaz is out until March.

But how does Gakpo compare to the forwards in the Liverpool team? We've taken a look at his Eredivisie numbers this season and compared them with the Premier League output of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.

Objectives

Cody Gakpo – 9Mohamed Salah – 7Roberto Firmino – 7Darwin Nunez – 5Luis Diaz – 3Diogo Jota – 0

Help

Cody Gakpo – 12Mohamed Salah – 4Roberto Firmino – 3Darwin Nunez – 2Luis Diaz – 2Diogo Jota – 1

Minutes per objective

Cody Gakpo – 125.2Roberto Firmino – 133.8Darwin Nunez – 138.8Mohamed Salah – 189.8Luis Diaz – 205Diogo Jota – N/A

Minutes per goal or assist

Cody Gakpo – 53.6Roberto Firmino – 93.7Darwin Nunez – 99.1Mohamed Salah – 120.8Luis Diaz – 123Diogo Jota – 197

Odds created per 90 minutes

Cody Gakpo – 4.7Diogo Jota – 3.2Mohamed Salah – 2.2Darwin Nunez – 1.8Roberto Firmino – 1.6Luis Diaz – 0.9

Dribbles completed every 90 minutes

Cody Gakpo – 2.1 (41%)Luis Diaz – 2.0 (47.6%)Mohamed Salah – 1.1 (30.6%)Diogo Jota – 0.9 (24.3%)Roberto Firmino – 0.7 (50%)Darwin Nunez – 0.5 (35.7%)

Passes per 90 minutes (passing accuracy)

Roberto Firmino – 40.4 (79.6%) Luis Diaz – 36.1 (81%) Cody Gakpo – 28.9 (76.5%) Diogo Jota – 27.9 (60.7%)Mohamed Salah – 26 (76.8%)Darwin Nunez – 19.2 (70.9%)

Shots per 90 minutes (inside the penalty area)

Darwin Nunez – 5.8 (3.8)Cody Gakpo – 4.1 (3.1)Mohamed Salah – 3.6 (2.6)Roberto Firmino – 3.2 (2.3)Luis Diaz – 2.3 (1.8)Diogo Jota – 1.4 (1.4)

READ MORE: Ranking every Liverpool striker since Fernando Torres signed for Chelsea

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