NewsCody Gakpo on Carabao Cup final: "We'd really like to achieve it for the boss"

They make the trip south to Wembley on Sunday afternoon to take on Chelsea in the showpiece of this year's competition, looking to lift the trophy for a record-extending 10th time.

Gakpo – who is a little over a year into his Anfield career having made the move to Merseyside in January 2023 from PSV Eindhoven – is preparing for his first final with the club.

And the 24-year-old is now keen to land his maiden piece of silverware as a Red, with the departure of the manager at the end of the season offering even greater motivation.

"It's a big thing for [the fans] and for us as well, for the club," Gakpo, who has scored in every previous round of the Carabao Cup this term, explained to Liverpoolfc.com.

"The manager was here, achieved great things, and we as a squad want to give him the best farewell we can give, and that means winning trophies.

"This is the first we can give ourselves and give him as well, so that gives us a little extra boost, a little extra motivation, not that we need it. It's something we'd really like to achieve for him."

Gakpo also knows a thing or two about scoring in finals, having netted the winner for hometown team PSV in the 2022 Dutch cup final as club captain.

"It's going to be an amazing experience, but for me personally, I will realise it afterwards," the No.18 continued.

"When you go out, you're really focused, you know? You see it but you don't really enjoy it, and then after the game you think, 'Wow, the fans were really amazing!' I'm really looking forward to it."

Gakpo added: "I think we are in a good moment as a team, and in the season. Everybody is excited to play this game. You play a season to win trophies, and this is an opportunity for us to win one.

"You play a lot of big games at this club. This is what we live for, you know? We want to play those big games and eventually win them."

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