News'We will find a way forward' - Cody Gakpo on Liverpool's squad adjustment and season aims
Cody Gakpo believes Liverpool will 'find a way forward' as Arne Slot's squad continue their adjustment following a summer of change.
The Reds return to domestic action on Sunday with the hosting of rivals Manchester United in the Premier League at Anfield in a 4.30pm BST kick-off.
Prior to October's international break, the champions fell to successive defeats at the hands of Crystal Palace, Galatasaray and Chelsea.
Slot's men, however, sit just one point back from league leaders Arsenal after their opening seven fixtures.
Gakpo, who returns to Merseyside having scored three times in two appearances for the Netherlands, remains hopeful that a tricky seven days for Liverpool will prove to be a period of learning for a team that is continuing to gel.
He told Premier League Productions: "I think it's always been difficult when new players come in to adapt to the team. But I think now when we have a lot of new players, sometimes it's difficult when you change the team.
"We lost also a lot of players who were here [for] a long time. We were together for a few good years now. So, some players left, Lucho [Luis Diaz] left, Darwin [Nunez] left, Jarell [Quansah] left and Harvey [Elliott] left as well. Then you have to replace them and new players come in and you need to make it fit. I think that's going well.
"We try to get to know each other every day better and better again. It's also a little unfortunate with Alex [Isak], who didn't really have a pre-season. It's all these things together - but I think we will find a way forward."
Read a round-up from the rest of the interview with the No.18 below…
On what his aims are for the season ahead...
I think as a team this year we obviously want to defend the title. I think we have the squad for that as well. [We have] good players and a good team. We'd like to be better in the Champions League than last year. To be playing now in four competitions, our aim is to win four - but that is every season the aim. I think we have a good squad to compete on every front.
On what it is like for him being at Liverpool every day...
It's a privilege. It's a great feeling obviously to go out and practise and do what you love and to get better every day.
On how 'special' is it to be at Liverpool...
It's a very special place. It's a very special club with amazing people working here and [we have] amazing supporters who support us every step of the way. I couldn't wish for any better team.
On how 'at home' he feels...
As home as I can be! Very much at home. Sometimes when I am in Holland I want to go home [to Liverpool], so that means I feel very much at home here. It's the whole environment. A great team, great club and great people, obviously my family as well, so that all together makes it home.
On what he remembers about his move to Liverpool...
It went so fast! The World Cup was done because we lost the game against Argentina and all of a sudden everything is finished. I was in Dubai and I think it was the 22nd or 23rd of December and my brother and my agent called me and said there was serious interest from Liverpool. I was like, 'Amazing!' But I didn't want to jump through the roof already because the last time a club came in it collapsed.
I stayed one more day in Dubai and then I had to come back for Christmas. It went pretty fast after that. I think in four days everything was done. So it went pretty fast, but I knew it was the right move because I was very calm on the inside. For me, that was a sign from God that it was the right move.
On winning the Premier League title with Liverpool last season...
For me, personally, obviously the game against Tottenham at home was a big moment for us. Some days you just know you're going to win and in the Premier League that is not often. But on that day it was meant for us to win it at home. I think the next game we played away at Chelsea, so to win it at home with all the fans we just had a feeling with everybody that it is going to be that day.
On how it felt to get his hands on the Premier League trophy...
It was amazing. I enjoyed the day very much. I hope everybody did as well.