EPL

The 'real Liverpool' will be back soon, predicts Gakpo

By Sports Desk January 28, 2023

Cody Gakpo believes it is only a matter of time before the "real Liverpool" start firing again.

Liverpool have endured a difficult season so far and sit ninth in the Premier League – 21 points behind leaders Arsenal.

The Reds have been knocked out of the EFL Cup and face a tricky FA Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton and Hove Albion, who beat them 3-0 in the league two weeks ago, on Sunday.

However, Gakpo, who joined the club this month from PSV, has seen enough from his new team-mates to suggest the good times are not far away.

"My feeling, personally, is everyone in the team has so much quality," he said. "That is what I see in training and in phases in the games.

"It is also a part of football that sometimes things don't work out exactly the way you want them to. We just have to keep improving, working hard, and the quality will come out.

"Then, you're going to see the real Liverpool."

After impressing at the World Cup, Gakpo joined Liverpool from PSV for a reported fee of £37million (€42m).

From the start of last season until he joined the Anfield club, no player had more goal involvements in the Eredivisie than Gakpo's 46 (21 goals, 25 assists). Indeed, no other player in Europe's top 10 leagues tallied at least 20 goals and 20 assists in the same timeframe.

However, after four games – all starts – for Liverpool, Gakpo is yet to score or set up a goal. He has had 12 shots, with just three hitting the target, and only 18 touches in the opposition penalty area.

Gakpo acknowledged a different role in attack has taken some getting used to, but the 23-year-old is determined to make it work.

"It is a little bit different to what I'm used to," he added. "Normally, I have played on the left for almost the past three years. It's something I can improve, playing in the striker role, and I want to show my quality there.

"It's a great position and playing there makes me more complete as a technical player.

"From a football perspective, it's a new environment on the pitch, with new players and a new team. I can tell it's a really great group.

"Every day I am looking forward to working with them, to train hard and to play the games. I am trying to adapt as quickly as possible, to improve every day and in the end show the best version of myself."

Related items

  • Argentina's training facility named after Messi Argentina's training facility named after Messi

    Argentina have honoured Lionel Messi's World Cup heroics by naming their training facility after their talismanic captain.

    Casa de Ezeiza, in Buenos Aires, houses Argentina's national team set-up, but it will now be known as Lionel Andres Messi.

    Chiqui Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), confirmed the news on Saturday, tweeting: "We lived a historic day in our Casa de Ezeiza, which from today will be renamed Lionel Andres Messi, in homage to the best player in the world.

    "I want to thank all the managers, players and employees of @afa for having been with us."

    Messi dragged Argentina to glory in Qatar last year, emulating the success of the late Diego Maradona as La Albiceleste claimed their third world title, and first since 1986.

    "This recognition is one of the nicest I've ever received," Messi posted on Instagram. "A great honour, thank you very much!!!"

    Messi scored the 800th goal of his stellar career in Argentina's 2-0 friendly win over Panama on Thursday. The 35-year-old's next goal on the international stage will be his 100th for his country.

  • Man City striker compared to Haaland 'can be best in the world', says team-mate Man City striker compared to Haaland 'can be best in the world', says team-mate

    Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw has already prompted comparisons to Erling Haaland for her goalscoring exploits, and a Manchester City team-mate believes she can be the world's best player.

    Jamaica striker Shaw has scored 26 goals in 23 games in all competitions for City this season, including 15 in 15 in the Women's Super League.

    The 26-year-old has averaged a goal every 86 minutes in the league – not quite on par with men's star Haaland, who has scored every 76 minutes in the Premier League, but close enough for onlookers to note the similarities.

    City manager Gareth Taylor did not shy away from comparisons between the "pretty remarkable" pair last week, explaining how both are "so mentally strong".

    It is that quality that might yet make Shaw the world's best, with England defender Alex Greenwood backing her City colleague.

    "I'm not surprised she's doing what she is doing, and she still has so many levels to go to, which is quite frightening to be honest," Greenwood told BBC Sport.

    "I think she can be the best in the world if she wants to be. She has all the attributes to be the best in the world.

    "I know how hard she works in training. It's the reason she's flourishing right now.

    "She's been really strong for us, so we just need to keep feeding her, keep giving her the ball, and the rest she'll take care of."

  • Rumour Has It: Nagelsmann open to Tottenham talks Rumour Has It: Nagelsmann open to Tottenham talks

    Julian Nagelsmann was sensationally sacked as Bayern Munich boss on Friday and replaced almost immediately by Thomas Tuchel.

    The 35-year-old German had guided the Bavarians to last season's Bundesliga title.

    And Bayern have looked good in reaching the Champions League quarter-finals this term.

    Nagelsmann previously led RB Leipzig, guiding the side to the Champions League and the 2021 DFB-Pokal final, before moving to Bayern in 2021.


    TOP STORY – SPURS MAKE MOVE FOR NAGELSMANN

    Sky Sports claims Julian Nagelsmann is open to Tottenham's advances as they seek talks following his dismissal as Bayern Munich boss.

    Spurs may be in the market for a new manager with uncertainty over Antonio Conte's future. Football Insider claims Nagelsmann is Spurs' number one priority if Conte departs.

    Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was also considering Nagelsmann in 2019 when he replaced Mauricio Pochettino with Jose Mourinho.


    ROUND UP

    - Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are all circling for PSV midfielder Ibrahima Sangare, reports 90min. According to the report, the player's representatives have spoken to several Premier League clubs and he could be available for around £32million.

    - Manchester United have joined the race for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic , who is being courted by Manchester City and Liverpool, according to Football.London.

    - 90min claims Newcastle United have held talks with Marcus Thuram's representatives about a free agent move from Borussia Monchengladbach in the offseason. Thuram has already declared he will leave Gladbach when he contract expires at the end of the season, with Inter among a host of clubs interested.

    - Chelsea are interested in signing ex-Leeds United man Raphinha from Barcelona, claims journalist Simon Phillips. The Blaugrana may be forced to sell players due to financial fair play regulations.

© 2023 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.