Cody Gakpo is eager for the exciting challenges to keep coming as Liverpool look to overcome their next hurdle in a demanding fixture list.
After a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea last weekend, the Reds have swiftly shifted their attention to tonight’s Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
Following the European encounter, Liverpool will once again turn their focus to the Premier League, where they face last season’s runners-up, Arsenal, on Sunday afternoon.
Gakpo and his teammates are determined to maintain their momentum through this intense run of matches.
“I think everybody as a player wants to play those games,” Cody Gakpo told Liverpoolfc.com.
“When you are at a big club, as Liverpool [is], you have the opportunity to get these games in the Champions League and in the league. We are all looking forward to it.
“I enjoy it. I think it’s the best feeling to just play games – maybe not so much training but more games.
“I think every player likes to get as much minutes as possible and to play at the highest level, to show yourself again and again. That’s what we all try to do every game.”
Liverpool kicked off their 2024-25 European campaign with impressive victories over Italian sides AC Milan and Bologna.
Next up for Arne Slot’s men is RB Leipzig, the third of eight opponents they will face in the revamped league phase.
Tonight’s opponents, managed by Marco Rose, currently sit second in the Bundesliga, tied on points with leaders Bayern Munich.
Cody Gakpo emphasized the importance of maintaining the same level of dominance that led to their 3-1 victory at San Siro last month, in what was Liverpool’s first Champions League away fixture of the season.
“It’s a little bit different,” Gakpo said of the competition’s changes.
“I think everybody still has to get used to it because I think everybody was used to the group phase and playing each other twice.
“Now it’s different but it’s nice.
“You have a lot of difficult matches, ‘bigger’ games all over the Champions League now.
“But at the end it’s all about the result and we go there as well for the win, to play a good game.
“Hopefully we can get the win.”
The Netherlands international finished: “I think it was a good game in Milan.
“Hopefully we can play a similar game as that – not concede that quick!
“Overall it was a good game, so hopefully we can play again that good.
“We just have to show our strengths again and then hopefully we can get the win.
“From what I know, they [Leipzig] have a good team – Xavi Simons plays there, Lutsharel Geertruida as well, [Lois] Openda in the striker position played in Holland as well before.
“They have a good team, young players, good players.
“Hopefully it’s a good game, a fun game to watch, a fun game to play and hopefully at the end we will win.”
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