Reaction'We showed the character we have' - Cody Gakpo on Fulham draw
The Reds were forced to play the majority of the game at Anfield with 10 men following the dismissal of Andy Robertson in the 17th minute.
Fulham had earlier taken the lead via Andreas Pereira, however the hosts levelled after the half-time break through Gakpo’s header.
The visitors again went ahead in minute 76 thanks to substitute Rodrigo Muniz, though the returning Diogo Jota would ensure the spoils were shared after stepping off the bench to net four minutes from time.
Gakpo – who moved into a roving role on the wing throughout the contest – praised Liverpool’s battling spirit and character to earn themselves a point.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "Obviously it was an exhausting game for us. We really fought really hard to get a result. In the end we’re not happy with the draw but I think we fought really hard and [I’m] very proud of the guys."
Read on below for the rest of our post-match interview with the No.18…
On the fitness levels in the squad…
I think we are very fit. Obviously the crowd helps us a lot, especially at home. We train hard to be ready for such moments. Hopefully they don’t come that often, but we are fit enough.
On his headed goal…
I always know Mo [Salah] when he’s there he can give the ball like this. The ball went over Lucho [Luis Diaz] and I just tried to head it in. [It was a] great ball and a great finish.
On what Arne Slot said at half-time…
It was [about] a small tactical shift. It was about when we had the ball and didn’t have the ball. But mostly it was about the intensity and trying to get the crowd behind us like they always do and go for the goal. It happened. I think we did a good job to put that much energy in the game and the crowd helped us a lot.
On whether there is any disappointment in not scoring a winning goal…
Yeah. I think we had some great opportunities at the end. It just needs to go in the right direction for the team. Sometimes it happens but today it didn’t, so it was a little bit unlucky in the last pass or in the finishing. As a team we showed the character we have that we could make it [a draw]. Hopefully it will never come that we are down with 10 men, but if it comes we know we can win.