ReactionCody Gakpo: We all had to step up – and that's what we did
Cody Gakpo declared himself delighted after Liverpool overcame their injury issues to record a vital victory over Luton Town at Anfield on Wednesday.
The Dutchman was on the scoresheet as the Reds, minus a host of senior players, secured a thrilling 4-1 win, coming from behind to net four times in a remarkable second half under the lights.
The result consolidates their position at the top of the Premier League table, and afterwards Gakpo reflected on the character shown by the team amid what manager Jürgen Klopp admitted were difficult circumstances.
“Obviously when a lot of quality is missing because of injury, the ones who are there have to step up,” the forward told Liverpoolfc.com.
“That’s what we want to do all the time, but especially now they are missing, we have no choice. That’s what we are going for: keep pushing each other to keep the level high, and that’s what we did tonight.”
Liverpool trailed at half-time to Chiedozie Ogbene’s early strike, but hit back in style after the break, with Virgil van Dijk equalising before Gakpo headed the Reds in front from Alexis Mac Allister’s cross.
“It was a good ball from Macca and I just had to touch it a little bit,” Gakpo smiled. “Good goal!”
He continued: “[We are] very pleased, obviously. It was a tough beginning to the game, I think, but we did well and created a lot of chances. Maybe we should have been a little bit sharper in front of goal but in the end it was a good win, an important one and we are very happy.
“We came in and obviously we were not happy because we were 1-0 down, but we created a lot of opportunities so we were hopeful and confident in half-time and the gaffer said the same. We just kept going and in the end the goal will come if you keep pushing, with the crowd behind us. [It was] amazing.”
Gakpo now hopes Liverpool can take the confidence from Wednesday’s win into the weekend, when they take on Chelsea in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
“For me it will be the first time [in a final for the Reds], obviously, so I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“Hopefully [we can] play a good game as a team and win the game, win the first trophy of the season and keep going from that point.”
He added: “[Wembley] is well-spoken of everywhere in the world, and in Holland as well. For me it will be the first time, so I’m curious but focused.”
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Watch on YouTubeLiverpool, of course, have already beaten Sunday’s opponents in 2024, triumphing 4-1 when Chelsea visited Anfield last month.
“Obviously if we play like that again it would be amazing, but every game is a game in itself,” Gakpo said.
“We have to go there really focused, together as a team, keep the confidence we got today and make it a great game.”
