Jurgen Klopp says 24-year-old Liverpool player did something ‘really special’ against West Ham United

Add as preferred source on Google

Jurgen Klopp was thoroughly delighted by Liverpool’s five-goal display against West Ham United last night.

Having drawn a blank during Sunday’s big game against Manchester United, the Reds needed to show a reaction in the Carabao Cup quarter-final.

Thankfully, they did that and then some. There were some great strikes in there, too. Dominik Szoboszlai’s effort was labelled as ‘Cristiano Ronaldo-esque,’ while Curtis Jones earned plenty of praise for his two goals as well.

But speaking in his post-match press conference, Klopp admitted that it was actually Liverpool’s third of the night, scored by Cody Gakpo, that had really caught his eye.

“Three-nil, Cody, wonderful goal,” raved the Reds manager. “But, again, similar situations in the game [to Manchester United] – this is a shot from Cody which is really special and I liked it a lot.

“Completely composed, no rush, just get into the position, finish it off and really difficult for the goalie. These are the differences.”

Gakpo gets his goal

With five stuck past Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal, yesterday couldn’t really have gone any better for Liverpool fans.

The one thing missing was probably a goal for Darwin Nunez, who’s lack of one is starting to worry everyone.

Nunez aside though, the one player who really needed a goal last night was Gakpo.

The 24-year-old has had a really hit and miss season so far. Heading into last night, Cody hadn’t found the net in his previous five matches.

Although he only started two of those games, even Gakpo’s cameos have been a mix between underwhelming and downright bad.

So, with West Ham there for the taking at Anfield, a chance opened up for the PSV Eindhoven captain.

Still, Gakpo’s goal wasn’t an easy one to execute. This wasn’t a game where Liverpool, for all their dominance, were creating too many clear-cut chances. Instead, it was a well-placed effort from outside the area which gave the Dutchman his goal.

It was actually reminiscent of Gakpo’s strike at the London Stadium against the same opponents in April. He does have a good long-shot in his locker. Perhaps it’s time we started to see this ‘special’ skill a little more often.