Liverpool boss Arne Slot insisted Cody Gakpo is very much part of his Premier League plans after the forward’s stunning double set the Carabao Cup holders on course for the quarter-finals.
Gakpo gave a timely reminder of his talents on Wednesday evening with a pair of powerful finishes before Luis Diaz sealed the Reds’ 3-2 fourth-round victory at Brighton.
The Netherlands international has been a peripheral figure at Anfield since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer, starting just two of nine top-flight fixtures.
Slot, who made eight changes for the Amex Stadium tie, was impressed by the impact of his squad players, including his fellow Dutchman.
“Cody’s been, in my opinion, a good player for Liverpool for a long time now,” said Slot.
“He continues to bring that and that’s a good thing. For me, he is a regular starter. He’s not started every game but he’s started on a regular basis and he’s in tough competition with Luis Diaz who, when he went to the left (wing), also scored a goal.
“That’s normal if you play at a club like Liverpool, you’ve got two quality players for many positions. But, for me, Cody has been a regular starter this season.”
Gakpo, who also claimed a brace in Liverpool’s 5-1 third-round success over West Ham, took his career tally in the competition to eight goals in as many games by thumping past Jason Steele 30 seconds into the second period and again in the 63rd minute.
Albion winger Simon Adingra halved the deficit 10 minutes from time following a mistake from Jarell Quansah before Diaz restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion, prior to Tariq Lamptey’s deflected 90th-minute consolation.
“I really liked what I saw from players that haven’t played that much this season yet,” said Slot, whose team host Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday.
“They were able to play a similar style that we usually do and they brought quality into the game. That makes it even harder for me to make line-ups in the upcoming weeks.”
Following a forgettable first half, Brighton were the dominant force in the 17 minutes between Gakpo’s goals but were clinically punished as their quest to reach the last eight of the tournament for the first time in 46 years fell short.
Reds goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros produced a fine save to turn an Adingra header against a post at 1-0, while Lamptey and Evan Ferguson also wasted good openings for Albion.
Seagulls head coach Fabian Hurzeler, who, like Slot, made eight alterations to his starting XI, said: “It’s disappointing to be knocked out of the cup but we were not ruthless enough, and I think that was the difference.
“Liverpool scored at the right moments. They scored out of nowhere with an unbelievable shot. They had the timing on their side today and we were not able to reply at the right moments.
“We had a lot of positive things but of course also negative things, otherwise you wouldn’t lose the match. We have to analyse it, we have to give feedback and then we try to keep going.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres, Sesko and Arsenal now Tottenham have made a bid worth £70 million for Mbeumo Inter Miami ready for FIFA Club World Cup "Arrogant" vs "Style" Guess who is he Only the real ones will understand this The top four loaned things in the world Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfoot...
Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the past two days.That meant the Iran international was unable to take his schedule...
WHAT HAPPENED?Manchester United have accelerated talks in the last two days as they target the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato. The Red Devils have reportedly intensified discussions with the player's agent and have made contact with the club regarding the potential terms of a deal for the Frenchman.THE BIGGER PICTUREA strike...
Viktor Gyokeres has snubbed a move to Manchester United, as per reports from Portugal.The Swedish forward was rumoured to be linking up with Old Trafford to join forces once more with ex-Sporting Lisbon gaffer Ruben Amorim. Record claims that Gyokeres has binned off the chance to don the famous Red Devils shirt, with his reps giving United the cold shoulder.Arsenal now seem to be at the front of t...
Nico Williams' private words to Yamal and Barca team-mates revealedNico Williams is doing everything in his power to join Barcelona this summer. Following his agent's meeting with Barca sporting director Deco, Williams' private conversations with Yamal and Barca team-mates within the Spain squad have now been revealed.No agreement between Como and City to sign Perrone permanentlyFabrizio Romano ha...
Viktor Gyokeres' dream destination revealed after Man United snubViktor Gyokeres reportedly has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer after rejected the chance to join up with Ruben Amorim at Man United.The 27-year-old is increasingly likely to leave Sporting this summer despite ongoing issues with the Portuguese champions hierarchy.Man United are understood to have made an approach but w...
Gennaro Gattuso agrees to become new Italy managerGennaro Gattuso has reportedly agreed to take over the Italy national team, replacing Luciano Spalletti after his dramatic dismissal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 47-year-old will become the new manager of the Italy national team following Spaletti’s departure.The former Napoli manager was let go following a string of disappointing resul...
'Very self-destructive' - Luis de la Fuente hits out at Lamine Yamal criticsSpain manager Luis de la Fuente has vented his frustrations at the country's "self-destructive" tendencies after recent criticism of youngster Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old was heavily critcised for an uncharacteristically quite showing in Spain’s penalty defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.Yamal remains arg...
Alisson rejects chance to leave LiverpoolLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson has reportedly rejected an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray as he seeks to play out his contract at the Premier League club.According to Florian Plettenberg, Alisson, 32, had received a ‘concrete offer’ from the Turkish giants who are set to be very active this transfer window.The Brazilian has since rejected th...
Germany v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Third Place MatchFlorian Wirtz is set to become one of the top earners at Liverpool after his stunning £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen.Van Dijk SalahWHAT HAPPENED?Accoridng to Sky Sports, the 22-year-old will earn a base salary of £195,000 a week. That could rise to more than £245,000 based on individual and team bonuses, representing a p...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 9 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans
- 10 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack