Victory in east London moved Liverpool back into the top six, and within six points of the Champions League spot they are making a late dash towards. Even in the closing stages last night, Gakpo’s absence was keenly felt as the ball didn’t stick up front and hearts were in mouths when penalty appeals for handball against Thiago were waved away. The adaptation period for Nunez, who boasts a respectable return of 15 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions during his debut season, remains ongoing. So too Nunez’s instinct to run in behind defenders when Liverpool often require their centre-forward to drop off and help retain possession.
The language barrier is one issue that needs to be resolved. There’s so much goodwill for Nunez among supporters because his potential is huge but Klopp’s recent remarks about him being a “long-term project” were telling. Nunez commanded the much greater transfer fee of the two but it’s Gakpo who is really flourishing at Anfield, and enjoying the bigger billing.īoth are 23 years old but Gakpo, who is seven weeks older than the Uruguayan, is the more polished and composed player. The Dutchman was replaced by Nunez, who had to make do with a cameo role for the fifth time in six games. “Cody has been brilliant since he came in the door,” raved captain Jordan Henderson.īy the time Gakpo departed to a standing ovation from the away end at the London Stadium late on, Liverpool were in control thanks to Joel Matip’s bullet header from Robertson’s corner - the centre-back’s first Premier League goal for 11 months. Gakpo was at the heart of everything great about Liverpool in the game, providing a focal point and then feeding Jota and Salah either side of him. The technique was exquisite, and a sign of his growing belief. His goal on 18 minutes was a beauty, latching onto Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass and taking two touches to steady himself before unleashing an unstoppable low drive. The Dutchman also completed 35 of his 42 passes (83.3 per cent). Gakpo won possession on seven occasions against David Moyes’ side, only Andrew Robertson (10) regained the ball more often. As time has gone on, I’ve become more comfortable and confident. I’m very grateful for how they treated me in the beginning. “The guys made me feel like I belonged here from the first minute I came in. I just have to find my spaces to help the midfielders and the attackers as much as I can. Dropping a little is something I can do to become an extra man in midfield at times. “It was a new position for me but it’s been good for me to develop as a player and I like it. “I’m enjoying it,” Gakpo tells The Athletic. He’s also adept at disrupting the opposition with his work rate out of possession. He’s quick, he’s strong, he holds the ball up and he links play intelligently. His all-round performance last night showcased why he’s repeatedly being selected ahead of last summer’s signing Nunez to lead the line.
Gakpo celebrates after scoring against West Ham (Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images) Having starred as a left-sided attacker for PSV with 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 games in the first half of the season, he has embraced the challenge of proving he can be the outgoing Firmino’s successor in the No 9 role. However, there’s something mightily impressive about how quickly Gakpo, who boasts a top-flight goal every 178 minutes, has adjusted to his new surroundings and become so integral to Klopp’s battle plan, especially given the mess he walked into. Fellow Klopp signings Salah (15 goals), Nunez, Jota (both nine) and Sadio Mane (eight) were all more prolific in reaching that early appearances milestone. Wednesday’s hard-fought victory away to West Ham United was Gakpo’s 20th appearance for the club and he marked it with his sixth Premier League goal - a sweetly struck 20-yarder into the bottom corner to cancel out Lucas Paqueta’s opener. He’s made the sizeable leap from being viewed as a bonus purchase to being an indispensable part of a resurgent team who have finally generated some much-needed momentum in their bid for Champions League qualification with three successive Premier League wins.
0 kommentar(er)
