ReactionCody Gakpo: We're believing in ourselves and what we're capable of

The Reds were dominant for large parts at Selhurst Park on Saturday lunchtime, though were made to work in the latter stages of the contest for the three points.

Diogo Jota’s ninth-minute goal was enough to secure the win in the capital for Arne Slot’s men, with goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros making his full debut late on due to an injury to Alisson Becker and helping to preserve a clean sheet.

Reflecting on the result to Liverpoolfc.com post-match, Gakpo said: “I think afterwards it’s a very good three points for us.

“I think first half was a very good game from our side, very controlled, dominating in possession. But I think we should’ve scored and created more chances to make it more easy for ourselves.

“Second half they came out of the dressing room very good, [I] have to say, [there was] real pressure on us, some good chances, but we fought together and kept a clean sheet, and I think it’s a very important win.”

Read on for the rest of the interview with the No.18…

On his role in Jota’s match-winning goal…

I think as an attacking player it’s always nice to score [and] get an assist. Very pleased with that. I think it was a good ball from Kostas [Tsimikas] to me and I saw Jota making a move inside the box and I just tried to put it in front of him. Sharp as always, he’s always there. Very happy with the goal for us and it made it a little easier for us in the first half, but then I think in the first half we should’ve been maybe a little more patient to create even more bigger chances [and] maybe could score the second one. After everything [it’s] a 1-0 win at this difficult side, so very happy.

On Jota’s ability to pop up in the right places…

I think everybody knows our strikers; I have to say Darwin [Nunez] as well. When there is this kind of chance, they try to always be there in front of the opponent. We know that from them [and] then we just have to try to put the ball in a good position for them to score. Very happy that he was there today. It’s a good goal.

On whether it was a good test to have passed for the rest of the season…

I think it’s important to go through such moments. I think it’s also a little bit of a test for our team. We know how resistant we are. We did well. We still can improve in a lot of things but very happy that we still won at the end.

On the start to the season overall…

Obviously now [we’re] top of the league. That’s important obviously, we are aware of that, but that’s not the most important thing at the moment. I think everybody in the team thinks we are growing in the way the gaffer wants us to play. I think that’s the most important one. We really are believing in ourselves and what we are capable of. Hopefully it can lead to a lot of wins and hopefully we are still on top at the end of the season. But for now it’s just staying very calm, keep improving and keep working hard and we will see it from that point.