Liverpool won another Premier League game this weekend, defeating Ipswich Town 4-1, with Cody Gakpo being named man of the match.
The Dutch international scored twice as Liverpool maintained their six-point advantage at the top of the table. Claude Makelele was impressed by Gakpo’s performance for the Reds, as the winger grabbed another starting XI opportunity with both hands.
With Gakpo making the most appearances in world football last year, Arne Slot may soon be concerned about the forward’s condition if the former PSV Eindhoven star begins to exhibit indications of fatigue and lethargy.
However, Gakpo is currently as brilliant as he has ever been for Liverpool, and Paul Merson believes that one vital thing has aided the Dutch international.
‘Very good.’ Euro 2024 has set the pace for Gakpo in Liverpool.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the commentator stated that Gakpo’s performance for the Netherlands at the Euros last summer has set the standard for the winger to shine under Slot at Liverpool this season, where the attacker has been in excellent form.
With Gakpo on track for his greatest season yet at Liverpool, there has been a noticeable shift in the 25-year-old attacker’s mindset and attitude, and Merson believes the £44 million attacker’s performances could be determined by how the former PSV man fared at the Euros last summer.
Merson commented, “Very good; he’s full of confidence. I believe he struggled last season, but then he went to the Euros and I thought he had a great campaign; he’s returned and has carried that on. He’s scored big goals in important games, and I enjoy players like that.
“Some guys get 15 goals in 15 games, but they get four, five, or six in a 6-0 win or a last-minute goal that doesn’t count, whereas he scores huge. He does not play every week, but he has been great, as have all of them.”
Gakpo is not the only Liverpool player poised for a career-best season.
Liverpool’s attackers have been unstoppable this season, with Mohamed Salah scoring his 50th European goal for the club earlier this week against LOSC Lille, bringing his total for the season to 23.
And the Egyptian international is one of three Liverpool players on-course to have their finest season ever in their careers, with Salah and Gakpo also joined by Luis Diaz, who under Slot has been nothing short of brilliant down the left.
With Diaz’s form generating interest from FC Barcelona, Liverpool will face a difficult battle in keeping the Colombian this summer, especially with Salah’s future at Anfield uncertain since the winger has yet to sign a new contract.
