Cody Gakpo understands that Liverpool must deliver a complete performance against Arsenal if they hope to secure the three points they need.
The Reds will visit the Emirates Stadium for a Premier League clash on Sunday afternoon, currently sitting in first place and boasting the league’s best defensive record.
However, Cody Gakpo and his teammates recognize the significant challenge presented by Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, who have finished as runners-up in the last two seasons.
“I think defending starts up front when the opponent has a goal-kick or whatever,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“We try to do that as good as we can up front to help the midfield.
“And the midfield is helping us and then the attackers are helping the defence. I have to say, the back four – including the goalie – are doing an amazing job this season as well, conceding only three goals until now in the league.
“They are doing amazing and we are there to help them. It’s a team effort.
“We cannot take all the credit from them. They do really well.
“Arsenal are a very good side. They showed in recent years that they are very good.
“They have a lot of qualities all over the pitch.
“We will go there and try to play our best game and we will go there for the win.
“It’s going to be a tough game, we know that, but we have to be ready for that.
He added: We are defending well but when we recover the ball everybody is running forward as fast as they can and hopefully we get the ball.
“And if not, we keep possession and try to create chances from possession play.
“I think we have a very good spirit. We know that we have to fight for each other, and I think we’re actually enjoying it as well.
“I think that’s one of our strengths.
On the disappointing result in the league at Arsenal last season, the Netherlands international said: “That was a disappointing match in the end.
“It was a close game – they played very well, in my opinion.
“You know when you play against Arsenal, with the qualities they have, if you switch off for one or two moments then you know they can take advantage of that – and that’s what they did in that game.
“We have to be ready for them and we have to stay switched on ourselves the whole game, stay focused and try to play our own game on the ball.
“Hopefully it’s going to be a good game for us.”
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