Cody Gakpo urges Liverpool to build on momentum ahead of home double-header
The Dutch forward believes Liverpool’s collective drive and growing confidence can be key as they prepare for important clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal at Anfield
Liverpool’s encouraging start to the season gathered further momentum on Sunday as the Reds secured a fourth straight victory in all competitions, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at Anfield.
With Chelsea set to visit in the Carabao Cup this week before Arsenal arrive for a major Premier League encounter, Cody Gakpo believes Liverpool’s current mindset will be vital in navigating another demanding period.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com after the victory, the Netherlands international highlighted the team’s growing belief and the progress being made under the current setup.
“We feel like we’re moving in the right direction every time we step onto the pitch,” said Gakpo. “You can tell when a team is just enjoying a good result and when it’s genuinely developing, and right now it feels like we’re getting stronger with every game.
“Of course, not every performance is going to be perfect throughout the season. There will be matches where things don’t come as naturally as they have recently. But if we continue approaching every game with the same all-in mentality, then we can keep building something special.”
An article published on the Club’s official website also reflected on the significance of Liverpool’s performance against a Brighton side that arrived at Anfield in excellent form. The visitors had won four consecutive Premier League matches, scoring freely while barely giving opponents opportunities.
Despite Brighton’s impressive run, Liverpool took control during a decisive spell in the first half. Pressure from Florian Wirtz eventually led to Pascal Gross turning the ball into his own net before Alexander Isak doubled the advantage moments later with a clinical finish.
Gakpo was particularly pleased with how Liverpool handled such a challenging opponent.
“It was a massive result against a team that had been playing really well,” he explained. “They had been scoring lots of goals and keeping things tight defensively, so this was an important test for us.
“It was also special to get that first home league win. Everyone contributed. Defensively we showed courage, sometimes taking risks in one-on-one situations because we trust ourselves and the coaching staff trust us as well.
“The same goes in attack. If we see an opportunity to create something, we’re encouraged to be brave and make it happen. Sometimes it won’t come off, but the important thing is that everyone supports that approach.”
Gakpo also praised the impact of the Anfield crowd, believing the supporters could play a significant role in the upcoming matches against Chelsea and Arsenal.
“It’s always an advantage to play these games at home,” he said. “When we match the energy we showed against Brighton, the supporters respond immediately. They are always behind us, but when they see that intensity from the team, the atmosphere becomes even more powerful.
“They supported us all afternoon, even with the difficult weather conditions. Having Chelsea and Arsenal coming to Anfield is something we’re looking forward to because we know the fans will be right there with us.”
Reflecting on Liverpool’s two quick-fire goals, Gakpo pointed to the side’s determination to stay aggressive after taking the lead.
“The first goal had a bit of fortune about it, but I think luck often comes from putting teams under pressure,” he said. “What pleased me most was that we didn’t ease off after going ahead.
“The manager wanted us to keep pushing and that’s exactly what we did. Bradley won his duel, Alex was where he needed to be, and he finished it brilliantly. It was another example of the mentality we’ve been showing recently.”
With confidence continuing to grow and two major fixtures looming, Liverpool will now look to extend their strong run and carry their positive momentum into another important week at Anfield.
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