Q&ACody Gakpo interview: 'We know that we can fight for each other'

Arne Slot's squad opened up an 11-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table on Sunday thanks to an impressive 2-0 victory over reigning champions Manchester City.

The Reds swiftly return to action in a midweek round of fixtures across the top flight, facing the Magpies in an 8.15pm GMT kick-off at Anfield.

Gakpo came back from injury off the substitutes' bench at Etihad Stadium after a two-game absence due to an issue sustained during the Merseyside derby at Everton.

The No.18 has enjoyed a strong season in the final third to date, scoring 16 goals and recording five assists across all competitions.

Ahead of the meeting with Newcastle, Gakpo sat down with Liverpoolfc.com and reflected on the win versus City, discussed the work ethic among the Reds dressing room and the growing appetite for success.

Read the full interview with the forward below…

On the victory over Manchester City and Liverpool 'having an answer' for whatever was thrown at them...

Yeah, true. I think those games, [they're] maybe not the games you want to play beforehand, that you think that 'Oh, maybe we are not so much in possession' and everything. But it's needed in the moment. That's also I think a big quality of us this season that the game asked this from us, and we do it and we pull through at the end and scored two amazing goals. That was a very important performance from us.

On the feeling in the dressing room following the game...

I think when you come in straight after you are happy. After the game obviously the manager speaks all the time, but the captain [Virgil van Dijk] did as well to just keep us calm and keep us focused at the games ahead because the season is not finished with this win. We still have 11 more games to go. We have to do the same things again and again and again and then we see where we will end.

On being desperate to contribute after his return from injury...

True. I had an injury. [It was] a little bit unlucky in the Everton game. But yeah, we did everything, the medical staff and myself obviously, to come back as quick as possible. [I'm] very happy that I can be back and hopefully now I don't miss any games anymore.

On having seven Premier League games left at Anfield this season, and having only lost once at home...

Yes, that's true. But we put in a lot of effort to be unbeatable, so we have to put in the same effort again that seven times and I think our away record this season is not bad as well. So, in the other games away we also have to show character again and bring it to a good end.

On Newcastle being a 'dangerous opposition'...

I think the last game ended up in a crazy game. Hopefully it's going to be a crazy game again but in our favour at our home.

On the players' appetite for success continuing to grow each week...

I think the closer you come to the end the more hunger you get to really achieve something as a group. Obviously last season we were in a good position as well and then unfortunately it didn't work out how we wanted to. But this year we are together with the same team so we know what we can do better and we will do better. That's what you can see and like you said, we are not trying to slow down, we just try to keep going [and] keep going. Obviously some games are going to be very tough for us, but also in those games we know that we can fight for each other and also bring those games to a good end. That's what we are going for.

On the attitude in the squad to work hard for each other within the tactical tweaks from Slot...

Yeah, that's true. I think the slight changes also makes the work maybe a little bit easier. We will - [it's] cliche - but we will die for each other on the pitch and that's what you saw as well in the City game when Ibou [Konate] makes some tackles with everything he has. Everybody did and that's what we are doing at the moment and that is what we have to do for the last 11 games.