Liverpool analysis - Cody Gakpo issues timely message as defender move justified

Gakpo gets going

How Cody Gakpo will hope his season has now been given belated lift-off.

Having been one of the key components during Liverpool’s much-improved second half to last season as the central striker following his arrival from PSV Eindhoven, the Holland international has largely been frustrated in his attempts to recreate that form.

First it was by answering the call as a makeshift midfielder during the opening weeks. Then came the increased competition from an in-form Darwin Nunez and firing Diogo Jota, before eventually the setback of a knee injury when netting in the defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

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Gakpo, though, has still been contributing numbers, although having started on the left flank here, it was only when the Dutchman began to drift into preferred central areas there there were signs of real spark.

And it was his quick reactions that allowed him to put Liverpool ahead on 31 minutes, an initial flick on Harvey Elliott’s shot saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Andrei Radu before the Reds attacker snaffled the rebound.

It meant Liverpool have scored in each of their last 25 games since the goalless Premier League draw at Chelsea in April. But for Gakpo, a fourth goal of the campaign was particularly timely. After all, the competition for places in the Reds attack is stronger than ever.

Quansah makes leap

The game was in the penultimate of five minutes’ injury time when Bournemouth launched another wind-assisted raid down the heart of Liverpool’s defence.

But before the home side could threaten, Jarell Quansah raced across to cover