Cody Gakpo believes he has become a more "dangerous" player after returning to his preferred left-wing role under new Liverpool boss, Arne Slot. 

Gakpo, who joined the Reds in January 2023, was often deployed in a central striker role under Jurgen Klopp during his first 18 months at Anfield. 

Across his 53 appearances for Liverpool last season, 27 came as a centre forward, with the remaining 26 coming on either flank or in the attacking midfield position. 

The Dutchman, however, has registered eight goal contributions (six goals, two assists) in 17 appearances in all competitions this season, all but one of which has come from the left wing. 

Gakpo has found the net four times in his last four outings for the Reds, which included a brace against Brighton in the EFL Cup to propel them into the quarter-finals. 

Speaking about the switch, he told Men in Blazers: “Before I came to Liverpool I also played as a left-winger. Then I came here, and I started to play more as a central striker.

“At the Euros, I played as a left-winger again. Then this season the new manager came in. I had a talk with him, and he said, ‘You have to focus on the left-winger position.

"This is your position when you come on or when you start.’ Because he said there’s a lot of competition here, so you just have to show yourself. But he said, ‘That is going to be your position.’

“It felt a little bit, for me, like the old me, like what I did at PSV [Eindhoven] as well. I feel really good in this position. I try to show my best to everybody, what I’m capable of.

“I think I come into more one-v-ones now with my face towards the opponent, where I can really go inside and give a cross, shoot or go outside and give a cross – which is more my game, I would say, and where I think I can be really dangerous and help the team the most.”

Liverpool have enjoyed a fine start to the season, sitting top of both the Premier League and Champions League tables heading into the November international break.

Slot has earned 28 points from his first 11 top-flight games in charge (W9 D1 L1), the joint-most by a manager after as many games in the competition along with Guus Hiddink at Chelsea.

The Reds also remain the only side with a 100% record in the Champions League and have edged closer to defending their EFL Cup crown this season. 

And Gakpo, who played a part in the Reds' win over Chelsea in the final of that competition last year, is eager for that fighting spirit to help bring more success to the club.

“I see those [as] separate,” he said. “When I’m on the pitch, [I’m] really there to win the game, to show my quality," Gakpo said.

“I think one of my qualities is going inside and going for a goal or maybe going for an assist. As an attacking player, I think that’s also part of the job.

“Outside of the pitch, I tend to be a different guy – it’s more about life and development, mental growth, health growth with family, with friends.

"I just try to be myself and I’m very happy that people speak so nicely of me, so thank you everybody!

“Obviously when you come on the pitch, it’s game on. You have to think a little bit different – maybe not that nice in some ways because you have to win.

"But for me, it will never be personal. Out there, [I’m] just trying to do my best for the club and to win these games for the fans, for myself, for the team.

"When the referee blows the last whistle then the switch flips again and then I’m back to normal again.”

A second-half comeback from Liverpool saw them return to the Premier League summit with a 2-1 win over Brighton at Anfield.

Ferdi Kadioglu's eye-catching 14th-minute strike handed the visitors the lead on Saturday, but the Seagulls were unable to make their chances count in a dominant first half.

Cody Gakpo, scorer of two goals against Brighton in the EFL Cup in midweek, fortuitously restored parity in the 69th minute when his cross narrowly evaded Darwin Nunez and nestled into the corner.

And the turnaround was complete three minutes later when Mohamed Salah curled a trademark left-footed finish beyond Bart Verbruggen.

With Arsenal and Manchester City losing, Liverpool are top of the pile on 25 points, two clear of their nearest challengers after the opening 10 games, while Brighton are seventh.

Data Debrief: The Egyptian King

Salah's stunning goal was his 48th match-winning strike in the Premier League, with only five players netting more in the competition’s history.

He also continued his fine record against the Seagulls. The Egyptian now has 10 goals and six assists in the Premier League against Brighton, the most any player has against them in the division.

Since the Seagulls joined the competition in 2017, only Salah himself against Manchester United (18) has more goal involvements against a single opponent in the competition.

Liverpool have now won eight of their 10 Premier League games under Arne Slot (D1 L1), the most ever by a Reds manager in his first 10 top-flight matches in charge of the club.

Cody Gakpo proved the hero for Liverpool as his two goals downed Brighton in the EFL Cup fourth round, though the forward still sees room for improvement.

The Netherlands international provided the Reds with some much-needed attacking force after the disappointing confirmation that Diogo Jota will be out until after the next international break.

Gakpo scored both his goals when cutting in from the left-hand side, before fellow winger Luis Diaz also got on the scoresheet.

Simon Adingra and Tariq Lamptey both scored late on to offer Liverpool a scare, though Slot's side held on for a 3-2 victory that sent them into the last eight.

However, Gakpo believes his match-winning performance could have been improved.

"I think two good goals, but I think maybe it should have been more, or maybe I get an assist as well." he told Sky Sports.

Liverpool fielded a young side at the Amex Stadium, with goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros and England Under-21 midfielder Tyler Morton among the starters.

Gakpo lauded the impact of an inexperienced side against Fabian Hurzeler's hosts.

"Very good. Morton, who doesn't start that often, started, then Trey [Nyoni] came in, and the goalkeeper obviously. I think they did fantastic," he added. 

"It's not easy if you don’t play that often, then suddenly have to play. Everyone did well, so really proud of them and really proud of the team."

Liverpool will face Southampton, who sneaked past Stoke City on Tuesday, in the quarter-finals, with Gakpo intent on chasing silverware with the Reds.

"Every competition you play in, you want to win," he continued. "So, [I am] very happy we went through and on to the next."

Cody Gakpo scored twice as Liverpool beat Brighton 3-2 in a thriller at the Amex Stadium to book a place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.

The Dutchman's unstoppable strike 38 seconds into the second half gave the holders the lead in Wednesday's tie, and he added a second just after the hour mark.

Luis Diaz restored Liverpool's two-goal cushion after Simon Adingra pulled one back, only for Tariq Lamptey to net another for Brighton in a gripping finale, but the visitors held on for a 12th win in 14 games under Arne Slot.

Vitezslav Jaros was handed a full Liverpool debut as both sides made eight changes ahead of facing each other in the league in three days' time, and the goalkeeper produced a good save to deny Tariq Lamptey from the best chance of the first half.

After an ultimately goalless opening 45 minutes, it took Gakpo less than a minute to open the scoring after the restart as he cut in from the left and curled the ball out of Jason Steele's reach from just inside the box.

After Jaros produced a fine save to push Adingra's header onto the post, and Liverpool completely wasted a three-on-one counter, Gakpo drilled a second past Steele at his near post after outmuscling Lamptey.

Adingra set up a nervy finale when reacting quickest to a spilt Jaros save, which the Reds reacted to with Diaz's well-taken strike inside the box, but that was only a temporary reprieve.

However, Lamptey's goal - via a deflection off Jarell Quansah - proved to be nothing more than a consolation for Brighton as they fell just short of a dramatic comeback.
 

Data Debrief: Gakpo keeps up impressive record

Gakpo had scored more EFL Cup goals than any other player (six) since the start of last season heading into Wednesday's action and added two more to his tally.

That brace ensured Liverpool made it three wins from three against Brighton in this competition, the previous two victories coming in 1985-86 and 2011-12.

As a result, the Reds avoid becoming the fourth successive holders of this cup to exit at the fourth-round stage.

Ronald Koeman is intrigued how his Netherlands side will cope without captain Virgil van Dijk when they visit Germany on Monday.

Koeman's Oranje travel to Allianz Arena to round off their October internationals with a mouthwatering clash against another European heavyweight.

The Netherlands will do so without star centre-back Van Dijk after the Liverpool defender was dismissed in their last 1-1 draw with Hungary in their Group A3 meeting.

Koeman acknowledged their towering captain will be a sore miss against Julian Nagelsmann's side, with Stefan de Vrij or Denzel Dumfries expected as his replacement.

"Virgil is someone who coaches a lot from the back. Now others have to do that. Some people are more capable of that than others and it also has to do with experience," Koeman told Sunday's press conference.

"I certainly think it will be interesting to see how that works in the team now that Virgil is not there. He has almost always been available."

Liverpool team-mate Cody Gakpo echoed a similar sentiment on Van Dijk's enforced absence.

"Virgil is an exceptional player, but now we are obliged to replace him. There are other good players who can do that," Gakpo added.

For the hosts, Germany midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic will be back from injury and form a midfield partnership with Angelo Stiller, Nagelsmann confirmed on Sunday.

"Angelo and Pavlovic will play in midfield," Nagelsmann told a press conference, praising the pair as prospects for the team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

"[Stiller] trains well and he played a good last season [with VfB Stuttgart]. He has also started this season well. He still has a few things he can do better. But I want to see him do that.

"Given his age he is a prospect for us. We have two years until the World Cup ... so we need some younger players."

Germany are top of Nations League Group A3 on seven points from three matches, with Netherlands second on five.

The pair shared a 2-2 draw last month in Amsterdam, and Nagelsmann expects another tough test on Monday.

"It will be an interesting game against a good opponent," Nagelsmann added. "We could have won in Amsterdam so we'll try to do it again. We'll be more pushed than we were against Bosnia."

Denzel Dumfries' late equaliser maintained the Netherlands' unbeaten start to their Nations League campaign as they rescued a 1-1 draw with Hungary despite Virgil van Dijk's red card.

The Oranje were staring at their first defeat in Group A3 when Roland Sallai smashed Zsolt Nagy's cross home at the back post to cap a rapid break midway through the first half.

Sallai had earlier struck the post as Hungary started impressively, while Denes Dibusz was called into action by Cody Gakpo at the other end shortly before half-time.

The visitors' position was made even more tenuous with 11 minutes remaining, as Liverpool captain Van Dijk received two yellow cards in three minutes, the second for a tactical foul to prevent a Hungary counter.

But Ronald Koeman's side made light of their numerical disadvantage to draw level four minutes later, Dumfries appearing unmarked to head Gakpo's free-kick delivery home.

Neither side were able to find a winner late on, with the result keeping the Netherlands second in the table with five points, two behind leaders Germany and three clear of Hungary.

Data Debrief: No Van Dijk, no problem

Dumfries' equalising goal was the first the Netherlands have scored after receiving a red card since September 7, 2005, salvaging a valuable point just as Hungary looked set to pull level in the standings.

Van Dijk, meanwhile, became the oldest player to be sent off (aged 33 years and 95 days) since Phillip Cocu in that exact same match (34 years and 313 days).

Liverpool came from a goal down at Anfield to thrash 10-man West Ham 5-1 and book their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

The victory piles more misery on Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui, who has endured a frustrating start to his tenure.

EFL Cup holders Liverpool did not have it all their own way, as they fell behind to Jarell Quansah's own goal in the 21st minute.

West Ham's lead lasted only four minutes, though, with Diogo Jota heading home from close range to restore parity.

Jota doubled up shortly after half-time, tucking in after fine work from Curtis Jones, though West Ham were left angered after their appeals for a Joe Gomez handball at the other end were dismissed.

Mohamed Salah slammed home a third after replacing debutant Federico Chiesa, and any hopes of a West Ham comeback were ended when Edson Alvarez received a second yellow card.

A West Ham capitulation followed – Cody Gakpo scoring twice in the space of three minutes to ensure Liverpool replicated the 5-1 victory they claimed over the Hammers in the quarter-finals last season.

Data Debrief: Reds burst Hammers' bubble... again

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 57 home games against West Ham in all competitions (W42 D14), a run stretching back to 1964 – that sole loss came in August 2015 in the Premier League (0-3).

The Reds' dominant victory on Wednesday means the EFL Cup holders have not failed to reach the fourth round of the competition since 2013-14, when Swansea City lost to Birmingham City.

Cody Gakpo is confident he can replicate the form he showed at Euro 2024 for Liverpool in the Premier League under the guidance of Arne Slot. 

Gakpo, who shared the Golden Boot with five other players at the European Championships with three goals, has failed to nail down a starting spot since his move to Anfield last year. 

The Dutchman scored 16 goals across 53 appearances in all competitions last season, eight of which came in the Premier League for the Reds. 

However, his performances in Germany saw him star for Ronald Koeman's side.

Gakpo's display against Romania in the last 16 saw him become the first Dutch player to score and assist in a knockout-stage game at the tournament since Frank Rijkaard in the 1992 semi-final versus Denmark.

The Liverpool man also led all Netherlands players for shots (12), shots on target (eight), chances created from open play (11) and expected assists (1.9).

He created 10 chances from ball carries at Euro 2024, five times shooting himself and five times setting up teammates, with only Lamine Yamal (15) and Kylian Mbappe (11) bettering that total. 

"I'm very confident. It was a good Euros for me [but] unfortunately we lost to England," Gakpo told Liverpool's website. 

"It was a good one for us as a country as well, even though we could do better maybe.

"I'm very happy to be back, full of confidence and I need to keep performing like that here as well.

Since his arrival from PSV Eindhoven, Gakpo has often fluttered across the forward line, with the ability to play out wide or as a central striker. 

Last season, 27 of his 53 appearances were played as a lone striker, proving to be his most effective with 15 of his 22 goal contributions coming in that position. 

But with the Reds under Slot's stewardship this campaign, Gakpo was able to detail the position he will play for much of the upcoming season. 

"Yeah, I spoke to him and obviously he sees me as a left winger. That's how I think he sees me," Gakpo said.

"We have a lot of players in the front line and you know the season is long and there can be some injuries in every position.

"So he said, 'You're playing there but maybe I need you in another position, you can play there as well. Just be ready.'

"For me, I'm here and I try to play the best football I can and help the club as much as I can with my qualities."

Liverpool legend Gary McAllister cannot visualise the Reds without captain Virgil van Dijk, with the defender having entered the final year of his contract at Anfield.  

Van Dijk has played a talismanic role since joining Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018, making 197 Premier League appearances for the club.

Since his debut, only Mohamed Salah (229), Trent Alexander-Arnold (211), Andy Robertson (209) and Alisson (201) have played more league matches for the Reds.

The Dutchman has won the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup trophies with the Reds, taking the captain's armband when Jordan Henderson departed last year. 

However, he has entered the final 12 months of the four-year contract he signed in 2021, and when Jurgen Klopp announced his departure earlier this year, the centre-back admitted he "didn't know" whether he would continue with the club.

McAllister, however, expects him to stay put, telling Stats Perform: "He's such a pivotal player and he's a fantastic leader, he's the captain of the club. 

"I can't visualise Liverpool without Virgil van Dijk. So my feeling and the feeling of most of the people in and around the club is that we need him to stay."

Van Dijk is not the only Liverpool stalwart with an uncertain future, with Salah also out of contract at the end of the season and attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League.

Salah scored 18 Premier League goals in 2023-24, making it the least prolific season of his seven-year stay on Merseyside, but McAllister says he has nothing to prove.

"Mo has been simply sensational right from the day he arrived," McAllister said.

"His goal stats, his assist stats, every stat that you can throw in, all the records that he's broken… he's just got to do what he's done every year that he's been here. 

"I'm sure the new manager will be leaning on him.

"He's now a senior player, Mo, he's a player who's got vast experience, he's a world icon, he's an iconic footballer, he's going to be such a massive player for the club this season."

Salah will hope to get more support from fellow attacker Cody Gakpo in 2024-25, with the Dutchman earning a share of the Golden Boot at Euro 2024 with three goals, after only netting eight times in a frustrating 2023-24 campaign. 

McAllister hopes Liverpool's appointment of Gakpo's compatriot Arne Slot will help him kick on, saying: "That'll help, the fact the manager and Gakpo are both Dutchmen. 

"It was his first full season at the club, I thought he had some good games, bad games, so his form was a little bit up and down. 

"But I agree, during the Euros, Gakpo was one of the Netherlands' best players and he got his goals as well. He'll gain from that experience, the fact that he did well.

"The fans will feel like they've got a new signing, I think you'll see a young man coming in with more confidence and feeling that he's now a proper Liverpool player."

Just four sides remain at Euro 2024 with the final in Berlin next Sunday now within touching distance. 

England came through another nerve-jangling affair, this time against Switzerland, needing penalties to confirm their place in the semi-finals. 

They will face the Netherlands in Dortmund next Wednesday, with Ronald Koeman's side coming from a goal down to knock Turkiye out of the competition. 

After another rollercoaster day of knockout football, we take a deep dive into the best Opta statistics from Germany. 

England 1-1 Switzerland (aet, 5-3 pens): Three Lions rewrite penalty history

Gareth Southgate marked his 100th game in charge of England with a win, in the end.

Trent Alexander-Arnold scored the decisive spot-kick following a 1-1 draw, having seen Jordan Pickford save Manuel Akanji's first penalty for the Swiss. 

Pickford's stop was his fourth saved from 14 penalties he has faced in shoot-outs at major tournaments, further proving why he is indispensable within this England team. 

Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney all scored their penalties before Alexander-Arnold's winner, showing nerves of steel from 15 yards. 

It was just the second time, in their 10th shoot-out at a major tournament, that England scored every one of their penalties (5/5), also doing so against Spain at Euro 1996 (4/4).

While Southgate has his critics, the Three Lions have now reached the semi-finals in consecutive European Championships for the first time. 

Since the group stage was introduced in 1980, the Three Lions had only got to that stage once before the appointment of Southgate, doing so in 1996 with Southgate playing in every England game at their home tournament.

But England's lack of attacking threat was concerning once again, with Saka's 80th-minute equaliser their first shot on target in Dusseldorf.

Saka's 11th international goal saw him become only the third Arsenal player to score for England at the Euros, after Tony Adams in 1988 and Theo Walcott in 2012.

Failing to get the job done in normal time has been a regular theme for the Three Lions at the European Championships. 

Since Euro 96, England have played 11 knockout matches at the Euros and eight of those have gone to extra-time, including the last four in a row.

Bellingham, England's hero from their last-16 clash against Slovakia, almost found another goal in extra-time, only to see his effort saved by Yann Sommer. 

The Real Madrid star won his 34th cap for the Three Lions, with all of them coming while playing for non-British sides (24 with Borussia Dortmund, 10 with Real Madrid). Only David Beckham (55) and Owen Hargreaves (39) have won more England caps while playing for non-British clubs.

For Switzerland, however, their woes in the knockout stages continued as they fell short once more. 

They have now been eliminated on all five of their major tournament quarter-final appearances: the 1934, 1938 and 1954 World Cups, and Euro 2020 and 2024.

Breel Embolo was a shining light for Murat Yakin's side, scoring his fifth goal at a major tournament for Switzerland, a tally only bettered by Xherdan Shaqiri (10) and Josef Hugi (six). 

Netherlands 2-1 Turkiye: Oranje return to familiar ground with new kids on the block

Once one of the powerhouses of European football, the Netherlands have risen to within 90 minutes of the top again with their latest triumph over Turkiye. 

The Oranje reached the semi-finals of the European Championships for the first time since 2004, with the help of their exciting forward line. 

Only Spain and Germany (11 each) have scored more goals at Euro 2024 thus far than the Netherlands (nine). 

Their equaliser came from an unlikely source, however. Stefan de Vrij’s header was his first strike for his nation since March 2015 against Spain – nine years and 97 days ago.

The turnaround was complete six minutes later, with Cody Gakpo believing he had gone out on his own in the race for the Golden Boot, only for the goal to be credited to Mert Muldur, who put through his own net under pressure from the Liverpool man.

It was the first own goal the Netherlands have benefitted from at the Euros since 2004 (Jorge Andrade versus Portugal).

For Turkiye, they can depart Germany with their heads held high, having reached the knockout stages of the European Championships for the first time since 2008. 

Arda Guler has been a shining light throughout their campaign. The 19-year-old provided his second assist of the Euros for Samet Akaydin's opener, becoming the second teenager to tee up multiple goals at this edition after Lamine Yamal (three).

There had been just two occasions on record (since 1968) of a teenager providing multiple assists at a single tournament in each of the 14 previous editions combined (Enzo Scifo in 1984, Cristiano Ronaldo in 2004).

Akaydin's header was Turkiye's fourth goal scored via defenders at Euro 2024, the most by any nation at a single edition of the European Championships. 

The Fenerbahce defender also became Vincenzo Montella's seventh different goalscorer at Euro 2024, the most different scorers (excluding own goals) they’ve had at a major tournament. 

The Netherlands came from behind to battle into the Euro 2024 semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Turkiye as Mert Muldur's own goal proved the difference in Berlin.

Samet Akaydin headed home after 35 minutes at the Olympiastadion, while Arda Guler was denied by the woodwork as Turkiye threatened to cause an upset.

Yet Ronald Koeman's Oranje stood firm, levelling through a thumping Stefan de Vrij header before Muldur – under pressure from Cody Gakpo – turned into his own net after 76 minutes.

Despite a spirited effort, Vincenzo Montella's side were unable to respond at the death as the Netherlands booked a last-four meeting with England in Dortmund for Wednesday.

A tentative opening was devoid of gilt-edged opportunities, though still free flowing with half-chances at either end. Gakpo and Memphis Depay combined well before the latter blazed over with barely two minutes on the clock, while Salih Ozcan hammered adrift of the target from range shortly after.

Yet another Turkiye set-piece situation told 10 minutes before the interval, as was the case with Merih Demiral's double against Austria in the last 16.

Guler was afforded too much space to curl in after a Dutch clearance, delivering perfectly onto the head of Akaydin, who could not miss from the back post for his first Turkiye goal.

The Netherlands managed just four shots in a drab first half, their fewest in the opening 45 minutes of a Euros match since the 2004 semi-finals against Portugal (also four), and Koeman responded by sending on Wout Weghorst.

However, it was Turkiye who almost extended their lead on two occasions after the break. Guler was felled by the covering Nathan Ake and the Real Madrid teenager stepped up to the resulting free-kick, clipping Bart Verbruggen's right-hand post with a fizzing low effort.

Kenan Yildiz then launched another skimming attempt through a sea of Oranje shirts, with Verbruggen unconvincingly parrying away before Weghorst cleared in front of an incoming Kaay Ayhan.

The Netherlands took advantage of that escape five minutes later when Depay worked a short corner towards the centre, where De Vrij nodded downwards past the helpless Mert Gunok.

Dutch joy turned to further elation only six minutes later as Denzel Dumfries slotted an inviting cross towards the back post, where Muldur inadvertently scuffed past Gunok with Gakpo charging in from behind.

Substitute Zeki Celik had a late chance to level but saw his back-post drive cleared off the line, while Verbruggen delivered a remarkable stop to thwart Semih Kilicsoy. Amid another chaotic finale, Turkiye's unused substitute Bertug Yildirim was sent off for a furious reaction towards the referee as the Netherlands scraped into the semi-finals.

Rare own-goal joy for the Dutch

Muldur's error was the first own goal the Netherlands had benefitted from at the European Championships since Portugal's Jorge Andrade put through his own net in 2004.

That unlikely route to their winner snatched a sixth quarter-final progression at major tournaments (World Cup/Euros) in eight attempts for the Oranje.

Yet Koeman's initial savour was an unexpected one as De Vrij equalised with his first goal for Netherlands since March 2015, nine years and 97 days ago against Spain.

This victory also saw the Netherlands progress from just a fourth knockout-stage tie in their last 10 attempts at the European Championships, with England awaiting in the last four.

Semi-final wait goes on for set-piece kings

Turkiye have scored three goals from corners at Euro 2024, the joint-most on record for a team in a single edition – level with Spain in 2020, France in 2016 and Portugal in 2004 – since records began in 1980.

That success from set-piece situations has been integral to the efforts of Montella's side, yet it was not enough to secure their first semi-final appearance at a major tournament since Euro 2008.

Turkiye will still hold their heads high, having impressed as the surprise package of this tournament.

Cody Gakpo said the Netherlands' performance against Romania represented the ideal answer to media criticism as they booked their place in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.

Gakpo opened the scoring as the Oranje ran out 3-0 winners in Tuesday's last-16 tie, with Donyell Malen coming off the bench to add two more goals in the latter stages.

The Liverpool man has now scored six goals at the last two major tournaments, with Kylian Mbappe (nine goals) the only European to better that tally across the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

He is also one of just three players to net three or more goals in two separate tournaments for the Oranje, after Johnny Rep (1974 and 1978 World Cups) and Dennis Bergkamp (Euro 1992, 1994 and 1998 World Cups).

The Netherlands were fiercely criticised by the media at home after finishing third in Group D, and Gakpo was aware of the need to respond emphatically.

"This was the answer we had to our last performance – we had a good game, scored good goals, we played good football," Gakpo said.

"Of course we could do better, but it was a good showing after the last game. A good step in that next direction. 

"We felt we were in control even though they were a dangerous opponent. We never had the feeling that we would lose control of the game."

Virgil van Dijk was among the Oranje players to see his group-stage performances slated, and he was equally proud of the team's response on Tuesday.

"We were defensively sound and solid and did not give up much," Van Dijk said. "We could have scored a lot more. 

"After a turbulent week, where a lot was said, we had to show something and we did that. We are self-critical and we knew it had to be a lot better after the last game.

"Everyone went for the duels, won the second balls and took chances. Playing good football gives us self-confidence."

The Netherlands have progressed from a European Championship knockout match for the first time since 2004, when they beat Sweden on penalties after a goalless draw.

Excluding penalties, it is their first win in a knockout game since they thrashed Yugoslavia 6-1 in 2000 – the biggest margin of victory ever recorded at the tournament. 

Marcel Sabitzer's stunning effort ensured Austria finished as winners of Euro 2024 Group D following an enthralling encounter against the Netherlands in Berlin. 

Ronald Koeman's side twice came from behind thanks to goals from Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay, but the Austria captain had the final say on Tuesday.

Austria opened the scoring in the sixth minute as Donyell Malen's attempt to cut out Alexander Prass' cross ended up in his own net. 

Malen almost atoned for his earlier error but could only scuff his shot wide of Patrick Pentz's far post. 

But it took the Oranje just 71 seconds to restore parity after the break as Xavi Simons laid the ball off for Gakpo to curl home his 11th international goal. 

However, the Dutch joy was short-lived as Austria retook the lead 12 minutes later when Florian Grillitsch found Romano Schmid, who headed in, despite the best efforts of Stefan de Vrij on the line. 

Depay's stunning effort levelled proceedings once more, with the goal given after a VAR check, with referee Ivan Kruzliak initially disallowing it for offside.

But the decider came 10 minutes from time, with captain Sabitzer picked out by Christoph Baumgartner before firing the ball high into the Netherlands net, with the Dutch condemned to third place and a possible meeting with England.

Data Debrief: Sabitzer marks record-equalling Austria appearance in style

Sabitzer made his 10th major tournament (World Cup/Euros) appearance in Berlin, with the five previous players to reach 10 such appearances for Austria all doing so in the early 1980s.

Austria have now scored their most goals at the Euros (six) and most in a major tournament (World Cup/Euros) since the 1978 World Cup (seven). 

Jurgen Klopp brought his remarkable Liverpool reign to an end with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Wolves at Anfield, capping a memorable Premier League tenure with the Reds.

Klopp announced back in January his intention to leave Liverpool – who finish third in the league this term – and Sunday's triumph marked a fitting farewell for his nine-year stay on Merseyside.

Nelson Semedo's first-half dismissal opened the door for Liverpool to capitalise as Alexis Mac Allister, who was scythed down by the right-back for the red card, struck first after 35 minutes.

Jarell Quansah doubled the hosts' lead soon after in the opening 45 minutes as Liverpool eased to a final-day victory, with this defeat ensuring Gary O'Neil's Wolves end the season 14th in the table.

The Anfield crowd entered the stadium unusually early to create a roaring atmosphere for Klopp's farewell, but Liverpool were slow to get going after the emotional pre-match build-up.

A nervy opening almost proved the home side's undoing as Hwang Hee-Chan arrowed narrowly wide, with Virgil van Dijk denied at the other end just moments earlier.

Yet Wolves' encouraging showing was turned on its head when Semedo was shown a straight red card – following a VAR check recommending a review – for an over-the-ball lunge on Mac Allister's ankle.

Making use of that one-man advantage, Harvey Elliott floated into right-wing space before curling for Mac Allister to flick a neat header into the top-left corner.

Wolves suffered another blow just six minutes later as Mohamed Salah volleyed from Cody Gakpo's flick-on before Quansah prodded home with a simple finish from point-blank range.

The one-way traffic continued in the second half as Luis Diaz missed a glorious opportunity to make it 3-0, smashing against the crossbar with the goal gaping after Gakpo had rounded Sa.

Mac Allister deflected narrowly over soon after Sa had thwarted Gakpo in a one-on-one situation, while Van Dijk blocked an open goal for Matheus Cunha in a rare Wolves chance on Alisson's target.

Matt Doherty thought he had sliced the deficit with five minutes remaining, but the Wolves substitute was caught fractionally offside as Klopp signed off with a comfortable victory.

Klopp's Kop farewell

Liverpool's Kop End at Anfield stood in unison for one final time, waving goodbye to their great manager Klopp, who guided the Reds to eight trophies across his impressive spell.

His trophy-laden spell ends with Champions League glory and a Premier League crown as the most memorable moments of what was a storied tenure on Merseyside.

Klopp leaves Liverpool with 209 wins from 334 Premier League games, with his Reds scoring 714 goals and conceding just 331 across his successful period at Anfield.

Super Salah

Klopp's impressive tenure was aided by the likes of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Salah as part of a fearsome front three – though the Egyptian is the only one who remains with the club.

Salah made his 250th top-flight appearance for Liverpool here against Wolves, while he has scored 155 Premier League goals for Liverpool under Klopp, with only Thierry Henry (175 under Arsene Wenger) netting more under a single manager in the competition.

The Reds forward also has the second-highest combined goals and assists tally by any player in their first 250 appearances for a single club in the competition (223 – 155 goals, 68 assists) – behind only Henry for Arsenal (243 – 171 goals, 72 assists).

Jurgen Klopp was lamented his side's late mistake as Liverpool gave up a two-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday.

The Reds were on top after a quick start as Emiliano Martinez gifted them an opener inside the first 61 seconds. Though Youri Tielemans equalised for Villa, Cody Gakpo and Jarell Quansah put Liverpool back in control.

Jhon Duran scored twice late on, netting in the 85th and 88th minutes to deny Klopp’s side three points.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the German admitted that though they could not see out the win, he was proud of his team’s performance.

He said: "It got away from us. We played really good football. We were really good, played a lot of good stuff and caused a lot of problems.

"Before we changed, we gave them too many chances. It was very intense for the boys. They created too much. They were too often in our box, and we made the changes. Then we made a mistake. It happens but in that moment, it opens the door.

"They scored an equaliser, and I don't even know how. The character from the boys tonight was outstanding in our situation. We wanted to win the game. In the moment, when we gave away the 3-2, that was really tricky. That's it, that's the story of the game."

It looked like Quansah’s goal would be the winner for much of the second half, with the young defender heading in his first goal for Liverpool.

"I've been waiting for that moment," he told the BBC. "I don't score too many goals, so when it goes in the back of the net you just saw the emotion come out I guess.

"I just tried to get the best contact on it as I could. I'm thankful it went in.

"The way the crowd celebrated was a surreal moment, definitely one I'll never forget."