Cody Gakpo on versatility, Salah respect and targeting three more wins
Cody Gakpo is eager to contribute in any way that helps Liverpool as the Dutchman targets three more wins to conclude 2022-23.
The January signing dropped into a deeper role behind the forward line for Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Brentford, having most frequently featured in the attack for the Reds since his arrival.
A Mohamed Salah strike during the first half proved enough for a 1-0 result against the Bees, increasing the team’s winning run to six matches.
Gakpo is thoroughly enjoying the positive spell for Jürgen Klopp’s men, and his participation in it, but swiftly turned thoughts to further extending it.
“I enjoy playing for sure and I’m looking where I can help the team the most,” the No.18 told Liverpoolfc.com after the final whistle at Anfield.
“Sometimes that’s a little bit deeper in the midfield and sometimes it’s in the striker’s position. I just enjoy playing with my teammates, and especially when you win it is way more fun!”
He continued: “It’s a great feeling [to win six games in a row] but the season isn’t over yet.
“I think we just have to stay focused, keep working hard and try to win the last three as well. I’m really happy with the win and looking forward to the next game already.”
Salah’s 13th-minute finish versus Brentford brought up another catalogue of remarkable individual milestones for the Egyptian.
It was his 100th Anfield goal, one that moved him level with Steven Gerrard in fifth place on the club’s all-time top scorers list with 186 and also made the No.11 the first Liverpool player ever to net in nine consecutive home appearances.
“Everybody knows Mo maybe better than I do, a really great player and a really great person as well,” Gakpo said of his teammate.
“When he breaks records, because I think he has already broken two since I’ve been here, we are all proud of him and lucky to have him here. He helps the team a lot with his goals and assists, so really happy.”
At the other end of the field there was also a landmark figure for Alisson Becker, who reached 100 clean sheets for the Reds at the conclusion of a hard-fought contest with Brentford.
Saturday’s success was the third in L4 within a week and maintained Liverpool’s momentum heading into the final weeks of the season.
Gakpo added: “At the end, job done and I think that was the most important thing. It was a tough game but we stuck together, we worked really hard and we pulled through.
“It’s a massive win for us, we are in a good period, we have won a few games so let’s keep it that way.”