Dutch national media hail ‘menacing’ Liverpool player as their star man against Poland

The international break is always a strange moment for Liverpool supporters. The Premier League pauses, the intensity of Anfield fades for a week or two, but the drama does not stop. Instead, the attention shifts across Europe and beyond, following the fortunes of Reds players as they wear their national shirts. And for Liverpool in recent years, there has been one national team that stands out above the rest, one side that feels almost like an extension of the club itself—the Netherlands.

This bond between Liverpool and the Oranje has grown stronger season by season. At Anfield today, four Dutch stars are central figures in the squad. Virgil van Dijk, the captain and the leader, stands tall as the face of both Liverpool and his country. Cody Gakpo, the forward who exploded onto the global stage during the 2022 World Cup, continues to carry the hopes of fans back home. Ryan Gravenberch, the silky midfielder, has risen in influence since claiming a starting role in Liverpool’s midfield last season. And Jeremie Frimpong, electric and unstoppable down the wing, is another key man when fit. Together, they have made Liverpool a kind of Dutch outpost in the Premier League, a club where the orange of the national shirt and the red of Anfield feel intertwined.

But football is cruel, and on Thursday night in Rotterdam, only three of them took to the pitch. Frimpong was sidelined with injury, leaving Van Dijk, Gravenberch, and Gakpo to carry the Dutch hopes against Poland in a crucial World Cup qualifier. What should have been a straightforward night instead turned into frustration, as the Netherlands let slip a lead and were held to a 1-1 draw. The disappointment stung because the Oranje had controlled much of the game, yet one lapse in concentration saw Matty Cash snatch an equaliser in the 80th minute.

The Dutch press, as always, were unforgiving. They criticised the result, questioned the mentality, and lamented the two points dropped. But amid the negativity, one name rose above the rest, hailed as the star performer, the one player who looked like he could drag his country to victory. That name was Cody Gakpo.

Gakpo, wearing the shirt of his nation, once again looked like a man made for the big stage. His performance was described by Algemeen Dagblad as “menacing,” and they did not use that word lightly. He was relentless in attack, probing the Polish defence, creating space where none existed, and taking on responsibility when his teammates hesitated. His 7.5 rating reflected not just statistics but the feeling he gave to the game—the sense that something dangerous was always about to happen when the ball reached his feet.

On one occasion, he unleashed a strike that had Lukasz Skorupski scrambling desperately to his right, the Polish goalkeeper just about keeping it out. On another, he weaved past defenders, breaking through the so-called “Polish wall” with his footwork and directness. Every time he drove forward, the crowd at De Kuip leaned forward, sensing that here, in Cody Gakpo, the Netherlands had their man of the night.

For Liverpool fans watching, there was a sense of pride but also familiarity. This is what Gakpo does. At Anfield, he has become known for moments of quiet menace—drifting past defenders with ease, finding angles others cannot see, and striking with power and precision when least expected. In Rotterdam, he carried that same aura, proving once again that he thrives when responsibility rests heavily on his shoulders.

But international football is never about one man, and while Gakpo shone, there were still stories to tell about his teammates. Virgil van Dijk, the captain of captains, played his role with the calm authority that has defined his career. Rated 6.5 by the Dutch press, he did not have a spectacular night, but he also did not need to. His task was to silence Robert Lewandowski, one of Europe’s deadliest strikers, and he did exactly that. Lewandowski barely had a sniff of goal, his influence neutralised by Van Dijk’s positioning and presence. It was not a headline-grabbing performance, but it was an essential one—the kind of quiet dominance that has made him one of the best defenders of his generation.

Then there was Ryan Gravenberch, the young midfielder who continues to grow in stature. Awarded a 7 for his efforts, he was praised for the ease with which he handled Poland’s defensive midfield set-up. “Made everything look easy,” was how the press described him, and it is a phrase Liverpool fans know well. Since breaking into the Reds’ midfield, Gravenberch has brought balance, elegance, and control. In Rotterdam, he showed the same qualities—receiving the ball under pressure, gliding past challenges, and keeping the rhythm of the game ticking in his nation’s favour. He did not dominate the headlines, but his fingerprints were all over the Dutch performance.

And yet, for all their contributions, the night ended in disappointment. Poland had no right to take a point, but football does not obey rights or fairness. One lapse, one failure to close down, one flash of determination from Matty Cash, and the lead was gone. The Dutch players walked off with frustration etched on their faces, knowing that the 1-1 draw felt more like a defeat.

For Gakpo, though, the night was still a personal victory. He had reminded everyone why he is considered one of the Netherlands’ key men, why Liverpool invested in him, and why he remains a player capable of shifting the momentum of games. The Dutch media did not hesitate—they declared him the best player on the pitch for the Oranje, the one man who looked capable of unlocking the door to victory.

It is a strange paradox for Liverpool supporters. They would rather see their players avoid injury, save their best for Anfield, and return fresh after the international break. Yet there is always pride in seeing them thrive for their nations. And with Gakpo, Van Dijk, and Gravenberch all impressing, the pride was strong, even if the result was not.

The bigger story is what this means for the Netherlands moving forward. The Oranje have endured difficult years since their golden generation faded, but there are signs of revival. The blend of experienced leaders like Van Dijk and rising stars like Gravenberch gives them balance, while Gakpo offers the spark that can turn a good team into a dangerous one. The 2026 World Cup is on the horizon, and though results like this frustrate, performances like Gakpo’s offer hope.

For Liverpool, it is another reminder of the quality they have within their ranks. The Dutch connection at Anfield is not just symbolic—it is tangible, producing performances week after week that matter on both club and international stages. If Gakpo can carry this form back into the Premier League, if Van Dijk continues to marshal the defence with authority, if Gravenberch keeps growing into his role, then Liverpool’s Dutch core could be the backbone of success this season.

The draw in Rotterdam may go down as a missed opportunity for the Netherlands, but in the story of Liverpool’s internationals, it was another chapter of pride. Cody Gakpo, menacing and brilliant, was the star of the night. Virgil van Dijk, calm and composed, reminded everyone why he is still the rock at the back. Ryan Gravenberch, smooth and composed, showed the maturity of a player far beyond his years.

The result was not what the Oranje wanted, but for Liverpool fans watching from afar, the message was clear: their Dutchmen are ready, their Dutchmen are strong, and their Dutchmen will return to Anfield with heads held high.