Gakpo Confident: Reds Determined to Give Their All Against Man Utd
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo believes their strength in depth is bolstering the club’s Premier League title bid. The Netherlands international came off the bench for the 19th time in 44 appearances to score his 14th goal in Thursday’s victory over Sheffield United.
The team’s substitutes have been involved in 24 Premier League goals this season, equaling Manchester City’s record from 2011-12. Gakpo combined with fellow substitute Andy Robertson for the third goal against the Blades. This impressive statistic has also contributed to Liverpool winning 26 points from losing positions. Gakpo attributes this to the attitude within the squad.
“That’s what this team is all about. We have so much quality, and the manager can only start 11,” he told the club’s website. “Everybody is eager to perform well for himself, for the team, and for the fans when they are coming on.”
With just eight league matches remaining, the focus is getting sharper with every week. However, Gakpo emphasized that no one is thinking too far ahead as that leads to scrambled thinking. “Obviously we are aware of the situation but we just try to approach every game and stay calm,” he added. “We are doing it pretty well at the moment and we just need to stay calm and stay focused.”
The team will return to Old Trafford on Sunday, where only three weeks ago they lost a pulsating FA Cup quarter-final 4-3 after Manchester United scored a winner in the final minute of extra time. It was a painful defeat, especially as it ended their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple.
“Of course, we were very disappointed. Losing is never good. Especially the way we lost that day, it hurt for 24 hours after the game,” said Gakpo’s international captain Virgil van Dijk. “We have to do better against them. They started the game well, had the crowd behind them and that gave them a push. Conceding the goals was disappointing.”
However, Liverpool is determined to turn things around and secure the three points this time. “We want to win every game and that’s the focus anyway at Liverpool,” van Dijk stated. “We know how much this match means and how big it is for the outside world, but we are in a phase where we can’t drop points and lose points.”
Liverpool’s mindset is to take each game as it comes and give their all. “It never matters what happened the game before results-wise. It is on its own. We have one goal: go there and try to win the game, we will give everything,” van Dijk concluded.
Conclusion:
Liverpool’s strength in depth has been a key factor in their Premier League title bid, with their substitutes making significant contributions on the field. The team’s mentality of giving their all and staying focused has helped them secure victories from losing positions. With just eight matches remaining, Liverpool is determined to approach each game calmly, aware of the importance of not dropping points. Their upcoming match against Manchester United will be a chance for redemption after their recent defeat in the FA Cup quarter-final. Liverpool aims to turn things around and secure a vital victory in their pursuit of the Premier League title.