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Tag: Cody Gakpo

  • Klopp’s best game of the season as Reds ‘chased poor boys on the ball’ in Leeds thrashing

    Klopp’s best game of the season as Reds ‘chased poor boys on the ball’ in Leeds thrashing

    Following Liverpool’s 6-1 thrashing of Leeds in Monday’s Premier League match, Jurgen Klopp praised his team’s “best game in a long time.”

    At Elland Road, two players—Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota—each scored a hat trick after Cody Gakpo’s opening goal and Darwin Nunez’s late goal.

    With a game remaining against fifth-place Tottenham, the win brought an end to Liverpool’s five-game losing streak in all competitions and brought Klopp’s team closer to the six-point threshold needed to qualify for the Europa League.

    The Liverpool manager pinpointed his side’s intensity as a key factor in arresting their previously poor form.

    “I think it’s the best game we’ve played this season from all different perspectives and aspects of the game,” Klopp told Sky Sports. 

    “I think we forced a lot of errors, but it was a really good game, sensational goals and counter-pressing – it was the best game for a long time.

    “My favourite part was in the 92nd minute we chased the poor boy on the ball from Leeds. I am really happy with that game.”

    Klopp elaborated further as he suggested Liverpool have started to click, with a pivotal moment in their season coming after fighting back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Arsenal on April 9 at Anfield.

    He added: “It’s a general thing. To play good football you need stability, the stability you only get from defending, but when you are in this kind of negative flow then you make wrong decisions.

    “You think to play better you have to be foremost concerned with the offensive stuff. We can be super offensive-orientated, if we react in the right moment.

    “I can’t explain why our counter-pressing didn’t work, but tonight it clicked. It clicked in the second half against Arsenal.

    “Tonight I’m not sure how many goals we scored after we won the ball back – that makes all the difference and I think we know that.

    “But there is always a bit of difference from knowing and understanding and really feeling it.”

    Liverpool are nine points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United and an unlikely Champions League qualification, with Klopp acknowledging a top-four push may be out of the Reds’ reach.

    “Where we end up I don’t know, but it will go on after the season, so we need all the games to understand,” he continued.

    “The games are super important. If we can’t get anything this season, then we have to build on good performances from this last part of the season.

    “I have no clue if we can get close, but I don’t think it’s too important. I would like to see us with the same desire, the same passion, the same understanding that we showed tonight.”

  • FA charges Liverpool for circling referee during Man City defeat

    FA charges Liverpool for circling referee during Man City defeat

    The Football Association (FA) has penalised Liverpool for an incident in which their players surrounded the referee during last Saturday’s 4-1 Premier League loss at Manchester City.

    At Etihad Stadium, the incident happened in the 34th minute of play with the score tied at one when City midfielder Rodri intentionally fouled Cody Gakpo.

    The Spaniard had already been booked for a similar infringement just minutes earlier, but referee Simon Hooper refrained from showing a second yellow, which would have meant a red card.

    Diogo Jota, Fabinho, Virgil van Dijk and captain Jordan Henderson ran to the official to query the decision, which has led to The FA charging the club with failing “to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or do not behave in a way which is improper”.

    Liverpool have until Wednesday, April 12 to respond to the charge.

  • Gakpo lauds Liverpool’s unity after a challenging run

    Gakpo lauds Liverpool’s unity after a challenging run

    Cody Gakpo credited Jurgen Klopp’s team’s spirit and camaraderie for Liverpool’s recent improvement in performance, saying: “When it’s difficult, a real team shows up.”

    The first four league games of 2023 saw Liverpool go winless, earning Klopp the harshest criticism of his time as manager at Anfield thus far. However, back-to-back victories have lifted the spirits in Merseyside.

    Last week, Gakpo scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 2-0 victory over Everton, and on Saturday, he added another goal in a 2-0 triumph over Newcastle, another team competing for a spot in the top four.

    Before Real Madrid and Liverpool’s first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals on Tuesday, Gakpo made the case that Liverpool’s mini-revival may have occurred at the ideal time.

    “I think it’s difficult to put your finger on something that has really changed, but everyone knows when you’re not winning the games, it’s difficult,” Gakpo said.

    “I think the games we won, we played better than in the games before, and the result is maybe the outcome of the greater intensity we had in those games.”

    “As a newcomer, I sense that the group is really good, we come together and stay together in difficult moments. It was difficult to try to stay positive and keep helping each other, it has helped us go on to better things.

    “When it’s difficult, a real team shows up. This is one of those times. We really stuck together and stayed positive and tried to help each other in the difficult moments.

    “Just in time, we started winning games again, and now we have a big opportunity to show we are back on track.”

    Despite spending the majority of his time with former club PSV stationed on the left flank, Gakpo has largely been used as a central striker since his arrival at Liverpool.

    However, the Netherlands international feels comfortable playing either role, adding: “I played the last three years on the left side, but at the World Cup under Louis van Gaal I already played in the centre.

    “I already tried to adapt to that, and when I came here the coach said it was possible for me to play on the left or in the centre, so I’ll try to adapt quickly to that position and improve.”

  • Gakpo promises more to come after ‘sloppy’ Liverpool debut

    Gakpo promises more to come after ‘sloppy’ Liverpool debut

    While acknowledging he had a few “sloppy moments” during his Liverpool debut, Cody Gakpo believes he will become better over the next few weeks.

    The Dutchman played his first game for the Reds since joining from PSV in Saturday’s FA Cup 2-2 tie with Wolves.

    Gakpo successfully set up Mohamed Salah for his team’s second goal, albeit he was disallowed an assist due to a mishandled Toti clearing header.

    Putting those situations aside, the winger’s performance was quite muted, and Gakpo acknowledged he could do better.

    “[It was a] really great atmosphere,” he told the club’s official website. “For my own game, I think I showed some good moments.

    “[But I also had] some sloppy moments. I can still improve on those points and keep working and try to help the team as much as I can.

    “Of course, you learn the most when you’re playing games, so I’m looking forward [to more].”

    Liverpool, who were halted at Anfield by Julen Lopetegui’s visitors, will play in a rematch at Molineux thanks to goals from Goncalo Guedes and Hwang Hee-chan.

    Although the Reds dominated possession of the ball, defensive miscues prevented them from advancing to the fourth round despite goals from Salah and Darwin Nunez.

    Gakpo, who believed the Reds occasionally displayed intelligence, was not overly discouraged.

    He added: “I think we played, in phases, really good football.

    “We didn’t score enough, so that’s a pity. But I think we showed what we could do. We can still improve on some points, [so] let’s work on that.

    “I think we showed real team spirited, so that’s good. We have to go there [to Molineux] with great determination and just go for the win.”

  • January transfer window 2023: Every confirmed deal from the Premier League

    Liverpool have made the first significant move in the January sales, confirming the signing of winger Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an initial fee of £35million.

    The versatile Dutch forward, 23, has signed a long-term deal that runs from January 1 to the summer of 2028.

    Gakpo caught the eye during the Qatar World Cup, scoring in all three of the Netherlands’ group games while being utilised as a striker. 

    He has also been a standout performer in the Eredivisie this season, scoring nine goals and providing 12 assists for PSV in just 14 league games. 

    West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves are among others who have started shopping early as clubs look to get their business done before the 11pm deadline on Tuesday, January 31.

    The Irons have confirmed a deal is in place to sign Brazilian defender Luizao, 20, from Sao Paulo.

    The promising young centre-back’s move is subject to international clearance, with a contract agreed up to the summer of 2026. 

    It is likely he will spend the rest of this season finding his feet in the development squad under Mark Robson. 

    Forest fans have already had a sneak peek of another Brazilian import, Gustavo Scarpa, who has flown in from Palmeiras.  

    The attacking midfielder, who turns 29 in January, made some cameo appearances in Forest’s mid-season friendlies and set up the winning goal for Emmanuel Dennis in a 2-1 victory over Valencia.  

    Wolves have also dipped their toe into the market by taking forward Matheus Cunha on loan from Atletico Madrid. 

    Subject to a work permit, 23-year-old Cunha is the first signing for new manager Julen Lopetegui at Molineux.

    Should certain clauses be triggered, the Brazil international’s switch will be made permanent and run until 2027.  

  • Gakpo grabs another goal as Netherlands top Group A

    With a 2-0 victory over Qatar to finish first in Group A, Cody Gakpo netted in his third straight World Cup game as the Netherlands easily advanced to the knockout round.

    Gakpo, a PSV attacker who has been one of the tournament’s breakout stars, once again dazzled at Al Bayt Stadium, setting the Oranje up for victory with a precise goal in the 26th minute.

    A second goal from Frenkie de Jong ensured a straightforward victory to clinch first place in the pool as Senegal defeated Ecuador in another match.

    Memphis Depay’s hamstring injury likely would not have allowed Gakpo to have played such a significant part thus far, but the two started together on Tuesday and will now look to team up once more in the round of 16 against the Group B runners-up.

    With Depay in the lineup, the Netherlands immediately appeared more dangerous, even though he was unable to capitalize on a bustle in the box early on, which forced Daley Blind to aim blandly at Meshaal Barsham and promptly miss.

    Instead, Gakpo once again came through after a great play, passing the ball to Davy Klaassen and taking it back to hammer a solid finish into the bottom-right corner.

    Four minutes into the second half, poor defending by Qatar allowed Louis van Gaal’s team to extend their lead when Depay’s shot was blocked by Barsham and De Jong was able to race past two defenders to the rebound just in front of the goal.

    The Netherlands’ place was never in jeopardy despite Steven Berghuis’ third goal being disallowed for a handball by Gakpo during the build-up and the substitute also hitting the crossbar in stoppage time.

    What does it mean? Oranje go on the offensive

    The Netherlands had attempted only 12 shots worth a combined 0.8 expected goals across their first two matches, outperforming only Costa Rica in each metric.

    Qatar made for accommodating opponents on Tuesday, but Depay’s return alongside Gakpo led to a far more dangerous display. The Oranje produced 13 attempts worth 1.6 xG in this game alone.

    Another crucial Gakpo goal

    Any Netherlands nerves were eased by another opening goal from Gakpo, who had broken the deadlock against both Senegal and Ecuador.

    He is the fourth Oranje player to net in three straight World Cup appearances and only the second player from any nation to open the scoring three times in the same group stage at a finals, along with Italy’s Alessandro Altobelli in the first round in 1986.

    Unwanted records for hosts

    In conceding seven goals in the group stage and losing three matches, Qatar set new records for hosts at a World Cup finals. This was not the sort of history they set out to make 10 days ago.

    Key Opta Stats:

    – Netherlands have progressed from their first-round group in all nine attempts at the World Cup; this is the best 100 per cent opening group record by any nation at the finals.
    – The Oranje have won eight of their last nine group-stage games at the World Cup, while in all rounds, they are now unbeaten in their last 10 at the tournament (W7 D3).
    – Gakpo became the first player to score in all three matches in a single group at a World Cup for the Netherlands, and first to do so for any European nation since 2002 (Tomasson, Klose and Wilmots).
    – De Jong scored only his second ever goal for the Netherlands, and first since September 2019 in a European Championship qualifier against Germany.
    – Netherlands had more shots (13) and as many shots on target (4) in this match against Qatar as they attempted in their first two 2022 World Cup games against Senegal and Ecuador combined (12 shots, 4 on target).

    What’s next?

    The Netherlands will learn the identity of their last-16 opponents later on Tuesday, as Qatar reflect on a gruelling first World Cup experience.

  • Gakpo optimistic about January transfer

    Cody Gakpo, who performed admirably for the Netherlands in the World Cup, asserts that “anything is conceivable” about his future at PSV Eindhoven.

    The 23-year-old has scored in both of his nation’s opening games, which have seen Oranje lead Group A with one game remaining after victories against Senegal and Ecuador, respectively, by scores of 2-0 and 1-1.

    While Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich have since been linked, he recently admitted he was disappointed to have missed out on a move to Manchester United.

    Gakpo isn’t completely ruling out leaving PSV when the January transfer window opens, even though his primary goal right now is to help the Netherlands advance far in the World Cup.

    “Right now I’m busy with the Dutch team. I’ll see what happens in the winter. In football, anything is possible,” he said at a press conference on Sunday.

    “I don’t get shy about the rumours. But it’s a team sport, it’s not about one person. I prefer it to be about the team.

    “It’s nice things that people write, but I’m not too concerned with that. I’m focused now on the World Cup. I just focus here and do my best.”

    Gakpo has been directly involved in 34 goals in 28 games for PSV and the Netherlands this season, scoring 16 and assisting a further eight.

    Despite enjoying his best campaign to date, the forward – into his fifth season as a first-team regular for PSV – insists there is still more to come.

    “I know what I’m capable of but it’s always a challenge to reach your highest level,” he said. “I’m not there yet; I can improve in a lot of things.

    “I know I scored two goals this World Cup. But that’s not the focus right now. I can improve, I want to help the team. It’s about being the best team in the end.”

    Gakpo could become the fourth man to score in three straight World Cup games for Oranje after Johan Neeskens (1974), Dennis Bergkamp (1994) and Wesley Sneijder (2010).

    The Netherlands will advance to the round of 16 if they defeat Qatar on Tuesday; however, a loss could also be enough if Ecuador defeats Senegal.

    They have scored 11 goals and let up only one in their four World Cup victories over Asian opponents.

  • 2022 World Cup: 7 Ghanaian footballers who will be playing for other nations

    Two players of Ghanaian origin namely Marcel Desailly and Jerome Boateng have already won the world cup with France and Germany respectively.

    The 2022 World Cup has as many as seven Ghanaian players who will be representing countries of their birth.

    Jeremy Doku – (Belgium)

    The Stade Rennes winger has already been capped ten times by Belgium at senior level scoring twice.

    Doku was born to Ghanaian parents in Antwerp on May 27,2002 and he is among the brightest young prospects in Europe.

    Memphis Depay – (Netherlands)

    The talented forward will be playing his third world cup, having made his debut appearance in 2014 in Brazil.

    Depay who will be starting in attack for Netherlands is expected to be their main man upfront.

    Cody Gakpo – (Netherlands)

    Born to a Ghanaian -Togolese father and a Dutch mother, Gakpo was also eligible to feature for the two West African countries but he chose to play for Netherlands.

    He is the skipper of PSV Eindhoven and among the best players in the Dutch league.

    Mohammed Muntari -(Qatar)

    Muntari naturalized for Qatar in 2014 at the age of 21 and has gone on to earn 41 caps scoring 13 goals.

    The 6 feet 5 inches striker’s greatest weapon is his head as he hardly misses aerial balls.

    Yunus Musah – (USA)

    Musah was born to Ghanaian and Nigerian parents in New York but was raises in England in Italy.

    He was eligible to play for US, England, Ghana, Nigeria, and Italy but chose to represent the Yankees at senior level after stints with the English youth national teams. Musah, 19, plays as a winger for La Liga outfit Valencia.

    Jeremie Frimpong – (Netherlands)

    Frimpong was born to Ghanaian parents in the Netherlands but grew up in Manchester.

    He was eligible to play for all three countries but always insisted he wants to feature for the Dutch. He is among the in form lateral defenders going to the world cup as he has already netted five goals and provided two assists in 15 Bundesliga games for Leverkusen.

    Nico Williams – (Spain)

    The 18-year-old Bilbao attacker will be representing Spain at the World Cup.

    He has already been capped twice by them at international level and he will be one of the young players to watch in the competition.

    Source: Sports World Ghana