'As good as he's ever been': Jim Beglin blown away by 'quick' Liverpool player's performance vs Leicester
Yesterday at 01:00 AM
Liverpool picked up three more points in the Premier League as they came from behind to secure a 3-1 win against Leicester City.
The Reds are now seven points clear of second-placed Chelsea despite having a game in hand as the Blues fell to a 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Stamford Bridge earlier today.
Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
1 | LiverpoolLiverpool | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 40 | 17 | 23 | 42 |
2 | ChelseaChelsea | 18 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 38 | 21 | 17 | 35 |
3 | Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 19 | 5 | 34 |
4 | ArsenalArsenal | 17 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 34 | 16 | 18 | 33 |
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side started the game well and took an early lead through Jordan Ayew as they stunned the Anfield crowd.
However, goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah helped the Reds complete the comeback to secure maximum points.
And Jim Beglin feels one of Liverpool’s starters from the night is playing the best football of his Anfield career.
Jim Beglin showers high praise on Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo
Starting in attack alongside Darwin Nunez and Salah, Gakpo was at the top of his game against Leicester.
After Liverpool fell behind, the Dutchman showed a lot of urgency and kept running at opposition defenders as he finally got the goal his performance deserved before the interval.
Gakpo cut into his preferred right foot and curled the ball into the back of the net to restore parity as Liverpool went into the lead with the scores level.
Beglin feels the Dutchman is playing the best football of his Liverpool career so far, which is the reason he was given a start ahead of Luis Diaz.
“This is as good as he’s [Gakpo] ever been and that’s why he’s been able to hold on to a starting place in the side,” said Beglin on commentary.
“To play in the team as an attacker, you need to be very good with the ball at your feet and very quick. And we’re seeing that from him.”
After the game, Van Nistelrooy hailed Gakpo’s development at Liverpool, with the Leicester boss working with his compatriot at PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo’s stats vs Leicester
Salah says Gakpo practiced his finish against Leicester in the training ground, which is why he was able to execute that finish with aplomb against the Foxes.
His underlying numbers from the game – as seen below – make for impressive reading.
- 2 chances created
- 92% pass accuracy
- 2/3 shots on target
- 2/2 dribbles completed
- 8/15 duels won
- 2/2 tackles won
The Dutchman produced his best performance of the season when his side needed him and is really coming into his own under Slot.
Gakpo already has ten goals to his name this season and his healthy competition with Diaz for a spot in the starting XI is really bringing the best out of both players.