Gakpo stepping up for Liverpool in Salah absence

Cody Gakpo is enjoying a productive start to 2024.

The Liverpool forward has two goals in his first three games of the new year, netting in wins over Newcastle and Fulham.

And with Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Gakpo appears to be stepping up when it matters most.

We take a closer look at his recent improvement ahead of the Reds' trip to Bournemouth.

Up and down

Gakpo's 2023-24 campaign has featured a few peaks and troughs.

The 24-year-old hit a hot streak in September, scoring three times in four matches.

But though he contributed in other competitions, he suffered a 10-match Premier League drought before notching against the Magpies.

Things have been looking up of late, with a consistent run in the starting XI now more likely with Salah unavailable.

And he will need to add to his tally of three league strikes should Liverpool sustain their title challenge.

Team player

Gakpo's goal-shy campaign can partly be explained by how often he has been asked to play in midfield.

Versatility is a string to the Dutchman's bow, a quality that means he is an important part of Liverpool's squad as they continue to fight on four fronts.

Speaking back in November, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp said: "He [Gakpo] is a super-smart player, so he can adapt to that [playing in midfield] but we want him to adapt and then perform immediately at the top level.

"He is a top, top, top player and a really good character as well so it is really helpful.

"The boys up front, they all like each other. There's not this battle about who will start.

"They know they can all play together and that's really important. They all want to start but if they don't start they know they will come on and Cody's a very important part of that.

"The good thing is we have really smart players and it means they understand they cannot play all games. That's how a smart footballer should think and our boys do that."

Next level

There should be more goals to come for Gakpo in the Premier League.

The Netherlands international is slightly underperforming his expected goals tally of four and currently averages 2.88 shots per 90 minutes.

Liverpool's No18 adds dynamism to his team's play, too, with his average of 1.88 completed take-ons per 90 second only to Luis Diaz's 2.02.

But he appears to be a confidence player, capable of brilliance at his best but equally frustrating otherwise.

As the Reds prepare for their trip to the Vitality Stadium without Salah, Klopp will be encouraged that Gakpo currently seems full of self-belief.