Former PSV player Cody Gakpo was in the starting line-up for Liverpool on Saturday. The Eindhoven resident had a large share in the second goal. Despite this, Liverpool drew 2-2 against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup match. The English newspapers look back positively on his debut.
According to the Daily Mirror, Gakpo created danger from the left. Trainer Jurgen Klopp had introduced Gakpo as someone who does not jump on a moving train, but wants to push the train itself forward. The attacking midfielder showed this with an early long shot at goal, which was turned by the keeper, but he did send a signal, the newspaper writes.
Liverpool started the game strongly with Gakpo. The debutant took the troubled team in tow and worked well with defender Andy Robertson. As is often the case with Liverpool this season, the game quickly collapsed after that.
“Gakpo still has to acclimatize.”
After the break, Gakpo was decisive in the second goal, which gave the Reds a 2-1 lead. He gave a cross that Wanderers defender Toti Gomes could not control. This gave Mo Salah – who would otherwise have been offside – the chance to simply shoot in.
The Telegraph is not immediately lyrical about Gakpo’s first appearance, but certainly sees the potential. “Gakpo still has to acclimatize in a faltering Liverpool,” the newspaper writes, “but he will certainly bring something extra once he gets used to it.”
The FA Cup match came to a tumultuous end when Gomes’ late goal was ruled out by VAR for offside. Gakpo was substituted in the 84th minute.