Liverpool has received a significant boost as Dutch international Cody Gakpo is set to make his return after a three-week injury absence, just in time for the upcoming Merseyside derby on Saturday.
It was expected to see Cody Gakpo back in Liverpool training on Thursday, as he confirmed his fitness for this weekend’s match. It’s worth noting that it was in the same fixture – the Merseyside derby – in January 2023, after his £37 million transfer, where he introduced himself to the Kop at Anfield by scoring his debut goal for the Reds.
Gakpo, a Dutch international forward, may find himself starting on the bench against Everton this time, given his recent injury layoff. However, he appeared fully prepared and determined during training as he continues his comeback.
This will be only his second Merseyside derby, and the first one in February was the moment when he realized the significance of this famous clash between city rivals and the incredible support from the Kop. He scored from close range during that match, contributing to Liverpool’s display of the style of football that manager Jurgen Klopp has successfully employed this season.
Gakpo believes that the passion of Liverpool’s fans can be a significant advantage as the club aims to secure honors once again after a relatively unproductive season in transition last year. He expressed, “When you play at a club like Liverpool, I never won a prize here yet, but I can imagine it feels slightly different than with other clubs. The fans, you always hear them, when you play home or away, you always feel the support they give – always positive as well. That’s why you’re going to go the next step, a little bit further, you want to fight for them as well. It’s together.”
His first goal for Liverpool remains one of Gakpo’s standout moments at Anfield, as Liverpool dominated the derby on Everton manager Sean Dyche’s debut in this historic encounter. He shared in an interview with the club that he has been preparing for success at his new club throughout his football journey, benefiting from the wisdom of legendary figures, especially his father, Johnny, who showed him clips of football greats like Maradona and Pele.
Despite learning from the best, Gakpo’s significant influence comes from a surprising source – a Stoke City hero. He revealed that growing up in his hometown, everyone supported PSV, and the team included Ibrahim Afellay, who played for both PSV and Barcelona, making him a role model for many, including Gakpo himself.
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