Alan Shearer raves about what ‘magnificent’ Liverpool player did against AC Milan

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Liverpool began their Champions League campaign in perfect fashion with a win against AC Milan.

A trip to San Siro did not look like a good tonic for the Reds after the disappointing nature of Saturday’s defeat to Nottingham Forest.

However, Liverpool came out fighting and despite going behind to an early Christian Pulisic goal, Arne Slot’s side fought back.

Set-piece goals from Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk put Liverpool ahead before the break, with Dominik Szoboszlai rounding off the win in the second-half.

As far as starts go in the Champions League, it could not have been better for the Reds. And according to former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, one player really stood out in Italy.

Alan Shearer raves about Cody Gakpo

Despite the difficult start for Liverpool, there were ultimately some excellent performances across the whole team.

A special mention should perhaps go to the two changes that Arne Slot made to his starting line-up.

Although there could have been an argument for a few more to come in, the Liverpool head coach only brought in Cody Gakpo and Kostas Tsimikas for Luis Diaz and Andy Robertson.

Tsimikas was partly culpable for Pulisic’s opener, but really found his feet as the game wore on, planting a lovely corner on the head of Virgil van Dijk for Liverpool’s second goal.

But it was Gakpo who really stole the show. Having so far been reduced to bit-part cameos, the Dutchman looked determined to make a point to Slot.

READ MORE: AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca raves about Arne Slot

And make it he most certainly did. After coming close on a number of occasions, the 25-year-old did brilliantly to create Szoboszlai’s game sealing third.

Commenting for Amazon Prime (17/09/24 9.30pm), Shearer said that Gakpo’s contribution for the goal was ‘magnificent’.

“Magnificent from Cody Gakpo,” said the former England man. “The way he stops the defender, Pavlovic it is, stops it and goes past him. Just gives him a little bit of encouragement to think he can nick it off him.

“The last thing, can he pick out Salah or Szoboszlai, he can pick them out alright. Wonderful goal, really good play from Gakpo.”

Will Cody Gakpo start on Saturday?

It was not a big surprise to see Gakpo come into the team on Tuesday. The Netherlands international was due a start.

And right from the first whistle, the No.18 was positive. He drove at the Milan defence time and again, causing problems every time he had the ball.

After winning the free-kick which led to Liverpool’s first, he was the absolute driving force behind the third, as Shearer says.

Diaz has also had a good start to the season, and has so far deserved his starting berth in Slot’s team. But after such a good display, it would not be surprising to see Gakpo in the XI come Saturday.

With Bournemouth coming to Anfield, the Reds will need to break down another stubborn defence. On this evidence, Cody might be the best bet to do that.