Alan Shearer has included Cody Gakpo in his Premier League Team of the Week after the Liverpool star scored a brace against Manchester United on Sunday at Anfield – claiming the January addition is beginning to “fire on all cylinders”.
Gakpo, 23, joined Liverpool in January having had a hand in 30 goals during 24 PSV outings in the first half of the season. Starring for the Netherlands in the World Cup, Liverpool chose to bring the versatile attacker to Merseyside.
It was a slow start. Gakpo failed to score or create a goal in his first six outings. But since then, he has scored four times in his next six, including in the Merseyside derby and the win over Newcastle. Then, two on Sunday against United.
His first, a really well-taken goal that saw him cut inside and curl past David De Gea. The second, a mark of a player full of confidence after Mo Salah had turned Lisandro Martinez inside out. Shearer thinks Gakpo is now playing at his best.
Including the Netherlands ace in his Premier League Team of the Week, Shearer said about Gakpo: “Now starting to fire on all cylinders, adding another two goals. He was too hot for Man Utd to handle.” Shearer also included Robertson.
Shearer: Liverpool addition Gakpo is beginning to fire on all cylinders
Gakpo had been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, the summer before. Leeds United came close, while Southampton and even Manchester United were keen. But he remained at PSV, and has now moved to Anfield.
It is a move that looks to have paid off. Taking fellow countryman Dirk Kuyt’s old no.18 shirt, Gakpo looked lethal on Sunday. Forming a front-three partnership with Salah and Darwin Nunez, it looked similar to the Liverpool of old.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
