Gakpo hands Liverpool boost and names ex-Stoke star as player he wanted to be

It was no surprise to see Cody Gakpo back out training with Liverpool on Thursday, as he declared himself fit to play this weekend.

After all, it was the Merseyside derby - and the same fixture as this Saturday - where he announced himself to the Kop at Anfield soon after signing in the January 2023 transfer window, scoring his first goal for the Reds following a £37m transfer.

The Holland international forward may have to settle for a place on the bench against Everton this time around, after missing the last three weeks with injury, but he appeared fully fit and hungry in training, as he stepped up his comeback.

It will be only his second derby, but the first back in February was the moment he realised just how much of an occasion the famous meeting of city rivals is…and how much of a weapon the Kop can be. He took the roof off the historic old stadium with a close range finish from a wonderful flowing move, as Liverpool showed signs of the style of football boss Jurgen Klopp has unveiled to great success this season.

And Gakpo believes that passion of the fans can be massive advantage as the club looks to win honours once more, after a barren spell in a transitional season last time around.

“When you play at a club like Liverpool, I never won a prize here yet, but I can imagine it feels slightly different than with other clubs,” he explained. “The fans you always hear them, when you play home or away, you always feel the support they give – always positive as well.

“That’s why you’re going to go the next step, a little bit further, you want to fight for them as well. It’s together.”

His first goal for Liverpool was perhaps Gakpo’s greatest Anfield moment so far - as the Reds dominated the derby on Everton manager Sean