Cody Gakpo may have joined Liverpool too early and is struggling to find his place in an underperforming squad, says new Dutch boss Ronald Koeman.
The 23-year-old striker enjoyed a breakout World Cup in Qatar, scoring three goals in five appearances as the Netherlands reached the quarter-finals.
However, he is yet to score in six appearances for Liverpool since from PSV Eindhoven in January.
“He found himself in a team that is not doing well,” Koeman said.
“If you don’t score or you’re not important and you don’t win any games, it’s very difficult, especially for a young player.
“If it was someone 28 years old, with experience, it would be different.”
Former Everton boss Koeman, who is in his second term as Netherlands manager, said it could be a difficult adjustment for young Dutch players who move on to bigger leagues.
“The level in England is higher than in the Netherlands,” he said on a YouTube show hosted by former footballer Andy van der Meyde.
“But they’re young boys too, aren’t they?” [Ryan] Gravenberch goes to Bayern [Munich] and not play. So it’s difficult.”
Before joining the Merseyside club, Gakpo had scored nine goals and made 12 assists in 14 appearances for PSV in the Eredivisie this season.
