Interview'Everybody is eager to start now' - Cody Gakpo's Community Shield preview
Cody Gakpo described Liverpool’s eagerness to get back to competitive action ahead of this weekend’s FA Community Shield contest.
The Reds will travel to Wembley on Sunday afternoon to take on Crystal Palace in the annual curtain-raiser to begin the 2025-26 campaign.
Arne Slot’s Premier League champions take on last term’s Emirates FA Cup winners in a 3pm BST kick-off at the national stadium.
It will be Liverpool’s first appearance in the fixture since defeating Manchester City in the 2022 edition at King Power Stadium.
Gakpo previewed the game with Liverpoolfc.com, discussing his impressions from pre-season and the opportunity to open up the season with silverware.
Read on for the interview with the No.18…
On his reflections of pre-season...
I think it was a good pre-season from the team. I think we worked very hard and enjoyed some good games as well. I think everybody is eager to start now this upcoming weekend. I can’t wait.
On how the new faces in the squad have bedded in...
I think we have a good group in general. That makes it maybe a little bit easier to adapt for new players to come in. I think a lot of the players knew each other maybe from playing against each other in the national team or things like this. For example, Jeremie [Frimpong] and Flo [Florian Wirtz] came from the same club. That’s also easy. Jeremie plays with the Dutch boys in the national team and others [have] those kinds of things too. I think they adapted well and quick - hopefully they feel at home as well. It’s good.
On the new signings getting a first taste of Anfield against Athletic Club...
It’s always special to play there, even for the boys who play here longer than a few months. I hope they enjoyed it.
On a trip to Wembley to start the campaign...
Obviously we’re going to play the Community Shield. It’s going to be an important game for us to start the season well and that’s what we’re here for. We’re going to give it our best shot. Hopefully we come back with the Community Shield.
On the chance to head into the Premier League season with silverware...
I think if we can play a good game and [produce] a good performance and get the trophy back home then we have good momentum for the rest of the beginning of the season. To begin well is always very important.
On Crystal Palace providing a stern test heading into the new campaign...
It’s obviously a very good side. I think they proved that last season as well against us but also against other teams. They didn’t win the FA Cup without quality, so that means they have a lot of quality and a lot of good players. They deserved to win that trophy. It’s going to be a tough game with some good players on their side and good players on our side. Hopefully [it ends] with us [getting] the win.