Jurgen Klopp was delighted to have his 24-year-old Liverpool player ‘fully back’ after his display against Fulham today.
Today wasn’t a perfect result for Liverpool. It wasn’t anything special. But it’s a result Jurgen Klopp can be pleased by.
The Reds got things over the line and at the end of the day got an important three points in a tough away fixture. What more could you ask for?
Especially from a side that was very much rotated to begin with, and perhaps that was felt most acutely in the first-half, when Liverpool struggled to create chances.
In that first-half, Liverpool made just one shot on target from open play. They relied on a brilliant set-piece by Trent Alexander-Arnold to make sure they went into the break on level terms.
Jurgen Klopp on Cody Gakpo’s recent performances
In the second-half Liverpool were much better. A goal from Ryan Gravenberch got things started. But it was Cody Gakpo who impressed the most for the Reds.
He was brilliant and provided a much needed assist to Diogo Jota for Liverpool’s third goal.
Even away from his assist, Gakpo was lively and caused plenty of problems to Fulham’s defence. He was undoubtedly one of the best players on the pitch for Liverpool.
And he received plenty of praise from Jurgen Klopp after the game as well.
“It is as important that Cody Gakpo is back.” Klopp said as per Liverpool’s official website.
“He wasn’t injured, but he was a little bit struggling. He is now fully back since three or four games. He is physically there, is extremely strong, keeps the ball and stuff like this, so that’s really helpful as well.”
Cody Gakpo’s impressive numbers against Fulham
Gakpo wasn’t just easy on the eye. The numbers also prove he was one of the best players on the pitch for Liverpool.
As per Fotmob, these were his key stats in the game:
- Won the most duels (7)
- Created the most chances (3)
- Completed the most dribbles (3)
- Made the most recoveries (10)
Gakpo has made some really positive cameos recently, and this was a great performance. Jurgen Klopp has described the 24-year-old as ‘really special’ in the past and Gakpo needs to show this side of him more often.