Liverpool beat Fulham 2-1 in the Carabao Cup semi-finals on Wednesday. It wasn’t very good, but in the end the Reds did their job. In this tournament, Cody Gakpo, a familiar face, scored the winning goal. Dutchman Liverpool has scored in every game he has played in this tournament.
When the big names weren’t playing well or the game wasn’t going well, they became the driving force.Scored 4 goals in 4 matches wearing the Carabao Cup patch. In 23 other games, he recorded 5 goals and 3 assists.This isn’t an indictment of Gakpo, but look at how his performances in the League Cup could translate into regular matches.
A big contributing factor to this is of course Jurgen Klopp’s change of squad for this game. This gave him more freedom and play time than usual. I don’t think it’s just a matter of adding him to the lineup, though it certainly helps. I think it has a lot to do with his confidence.
When Klopp told Coady he was in control that night, he played with even more flair and determination.When he plays with Mo Salah, he leans towards the Egyptian. Gakpo’s technical ability on the ball is evident as he has shown that he can create chances from his position as well.
When he represents the Netherlands, there is an extra level to his game that is not often seen at club level. His performances at the World Cup earned him a move to Anfield.He must believe in himself and his obvious abilities. Maybe in time, but it would be a coup for the Reds if he can take his game to the next level to maintain that record in any competition.
His offensive versatility is also a huge weapon. Whether on the wing or in the middle, each shooter can create for himself and others. The failure of the experiment with him in midfield earlier this season was the result of circumstances and not his fault.
With Liverpool fighting on four fronts, more effort from key players will be crucial to overall success. So it’s a bonus for the team that Cody Gakpo is feeling the pressure in the League Cup. The next step for him to take his game to the next level is to make every game “his”. Let’s see if he can do it.
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