‘A big fight’: Cody Gakpo shares what Virgil van Dijk has told him about Liverpool v Everton

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Liverpool take on Everton tonight and Virgil van Dijk has been telling Cody Gakpo to expect something of a fight when the two sides meet at Anfield.

The Reds really need a big result.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have been dismal in the early weeks of 2023, taking just one point from four Premier League games.

Defeats at Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers have left fans bitterly disappointed.

Top four hopes are dwindling and Liverpool need a result in a big derby game – but this game has maybe come at a terrible time.

Everton now have a new manager in Sean Dyche and they picked up a rousing win over Premier League leaders Arsenal in his first game in charge.

The Toffees are hoping for another big win tonight and Liverpool must pray they don’t fall victim to Dyche.

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk tells Cody Gakpo to expect a fight against Everton

This is the first Merseyside debut for Cody Gakpo.

Signing from PSV Eindhoven in January, Gakpo was viewed as an exciting signing, albeit one that wasn’t necessarily needed at Liverpool.

The Dutchman had been on fire at PSV and had also impressed for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar.

Yet it’s been slow going for Gakpo at Liverpool; he still hasn’t scored his first goal for the Reds.

The 23-year-old has played six times with no luck in front of goal and he would no doubt love to open his account tonight.

A first Liverpool goal against Everton would see Gakpo follow in the footsteps of compatriot Virgil van Dijk.

Gakpo has understandably asked Van Dijk what he can expect from the game, even if he isn’t exactly a stranger to bitter rivalries.

Gakpo has told The Mirror that Van Dijk has told him ‘it’s going to be a big fight’ against the Toffees – and now hopes to match Van Dijk by scoring against Everton.

“Virgil has told me about the derby and said it’s going to be a big fight. He also told me he scored his first goal against Everton – and now I hope for exactly the same,” said Gakpo.