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Liverpool kicked off their summer season friendlies with a 3-1 win at Preston, and it was Cody Gakpo who caught the attention most for us within the closing third.
The Dutch ahead was handed a second-half position by Arne Slot and completed with a Sofascore ranking of seven.3, joint-highest within the squad alongside Conor Bradley.
Gakpo was closely concerned all through his 45-minute outing, finishing 17 of 21 passes at 84% accuracy, registering three photographs, and profitable two duels – in addition to scoring the ultimate aim.
The 26-year-old appears to be making an early pitch for a daily position in Slot’s facet after competing final time period with Luis Diaz on the left wing.
Gakpo fights for place in Liverpool’s new-look assault
With Florian Wirtz’s arrival already including extra competitors behind the striker, and hyperlinks to new No.9s persevering with, Gakpo’s versatility might develop into key.
Slot used two completely different XIs throughout the halves at Deepdale, with new signings Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong handed debuts within the second interval.
Whereas their presence has turned consideration to the full-back areas, it’s Gakpo’s efficiency in assault which will immediate the most important choice debate forward of the brand new marketing campaign.
The Dutch worldwide, who signed from PSV in January 2023, was a constant aim risk final season.
With Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez each linked with exits this summer season, and Wirtz anticipated to start out, Gakpo’s robust pre-season type might show decisive.
Liverpool have already misplaced Diogo Jota, tragically, and Arne Slot has spoken concerning the emotional weight of the sport following his passing (by way of liverpoolfc.com).
That context provides larger that means to those early matches, and performances like Gakpo’s matter all of the extra as a brand new season dawns.
Liverpool construct health as battle for locations begins
Liverpool’s return to motion got here simply over every week after Diogo Jota’s dying, and tributes earlier than the match set a sombre however unifying tone.
Giorgi Mamardashvili made his unofficial debut within the first half, with Bradley, Gakpo, and teen Rio Ngumoha among the many standout performers.
Because the battle for minutes begins, Gakpo’s early displaying can have given Slot meals for thought—and with Wirtz and others but to return to full health, there will probably be extra probabilities for others to stake their declare.
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