- Cody Gakpo helped Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 on Sunday
- The Dutchman has received a lot of criticism this season
- John Aldridge, though, was amazed by him on one occasion at the weekend
A 100th-minute Virgil van Dijk winner stole the headlines, but Liverpool Legend John Aldridge was “wowed” by Cody Gakpo’s vision in the first-ever derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Arne Slot’s side emerged victorious in the first-ever Merseyside derby at Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium at the weekend.
The Reds appeared destined for disappointment after Beto nullified Mohamed Salah’s first-half opener until Virgil van Dijk silenced the home crowd.
The skipper grabbed the winner for the visitors in the 100th-minute, as he leapt above everyone else to get on the end of a Dominik Szoboszlai corner and turn the ball into the back of the net.
Aldridge hails Gakpo as brilliant
Although the result went in Liverpool’s favour, their performance still left much to be desired.
Gakpo was among those who continued their lacklustre form, with the attacker garnering an xG of 0.36 from 5 shots.
However, it was the 26-year-old who provided the assist for Salah’s opener, setting the Egyptian up for a first-time shot with a pinpoint pass into the box.
Aldridge was so impressed by the pass that he described it as the best through ball of the game.
The Anfield hero insisted that the Reds need to play such passes more often, especially with Alexander Isak struggling for service.
Writing in his latest Liverpool Echo column on Monday (20 April), Aldridge claimed: “He [Isak] does make runs. He made some good runs in behind and we tend not to put balls in behind.
“The best ball in behind was Cody Gakpo’s for Salah’s goal. That was brilliant. That’s the type of runs that Isak wants to make and they don’t see him.”
Gakpo can do job for Liverpool
Gakpo has often been frustrating to watch for Liverpool this season.
However, there is no doubt that he is capable of being an important player for the Merseyside-based club, especially considering his willingness to press diligently.
Against Everton, the Netherlands international completed 15 of his 19 passes with 79% accuracy, providing four key passes in the process.
However, he was also guilty of losing possession nine times.
Gakpo has bagged eight goals and six assists from 47 appearances across all competitions this season, and that is not good enough even by his standards.
However, at 26 years of age, the attacker is entering his prime. With some fine-tuning, he could become a key player for the six-time European champions.
