LIVERPOOL’S JANUARY SIGNING Cody Gakpo admits he still has to prove himself in the Champions League.
The 23-year-old may have played in a World Cup quarter-final against eventual champions Argentina but his experience in Europe’s elite club competition extends to just seven minutes in one substitute appearance in a group-stage draw against Tottenham in October 2018.
Gakpo had struggled with his form since arriving from PSV Eindhoven for an initial €42 million (£37m) last month – not helped by Liverpool’s struggles on the pitch as a team – but the Netherlands international has now scored in back-to-back matches against Everton and Newcastle.
And his first Champions League start could be in the last-16, first-leg tie at home to Real Madrid. “It’s going to be my second game in the Champions League so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said.
“I have to prove that I can perform at such a level again and I’m eager to do that.
“It’s a dream for every football player to play in this competition and for me, to have that opportunity, it’s a great one.
“Of course it’s a great feeling to score the first goal knowing it was a really important game for us and it was a Merseyside derby – that was a good way to open the scoring account.
“And then to follow it up with the goal against Newcastle. I think that game was really important for us to show that we had a difficult period but that we are climbing back from that and that we are eager to perform and to keep doing better.
“I think we are really confident now and will keep working hard and trying to improve and keep winning games.”
Gakpo’s integration into the team was also not helped by being switched between two positions but he appears to be more comfortable through the middle.
“Obviously I played, I think, the last three years on the left side but at the World Cup and under Louis Van Gaal I played in the centre so I already tried to adapt to that when I came here,” he added.
“I spoke to the coach (Jurgen Klopp) and he said it’s possible to play on the left or in the centre.”
4 and 1/2 games, already qualified. Record breaking and relentless. The forerunners of Irish rugby for the last decade and showing no sign of slowing down
Ye Leinster are pretty good
Leinster are just so bloody good. They’re halfway to a bonus point against the premiership leaders after seven minutes! Incredible team
That’s the ticket. Push on and show a ruthless side for the second half. 1/4 final spot with 2games in hand at the moment. Pure Blue class.
Will they ever give contepomi a chair to sit on?
Quality start to the game from Leinster. Few teams can live with them when they turn on the power.
What’s with all the booing though!!
@Eddie Hekenui: it was against the ref for allowing the second Northampton try because it looked like blatant obstruction to me. Some idiots were booing when biggar came off which was not cool. The problem with these games is you get a lot of people out for a Christmas do, mouldy drunk and with no actual interest in the game.
Leinster are barely out of third gear and Northampton make them look like world beaters. Competition rugby standards is poor this year. Shocking from Saints. Tom Wood a shadow of himself.
When did BO’D get the Union Jack tattooed on his butt? Seems to have forsaken his blue eyes for red white and blue?
He who pays the piper?
@Sean Malone: damned if he do damned if he don’t.