'For a while': Ruud van Nistelrooy makes point about what he's seeing from Cody Gakpo after managing him at PSV
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Liverpool put themselves seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 win over Leicester City on Boxing Day.
The Reds were made to work for their points after falling behind to an early Jordan Ayew goal.
But just as the frustration was starting to grow around a foggy Anfield, a beautiful goal from Cody Gakpo just before half-time drew Liverpool level.
From there, a Curtis Jones strike early into the second-half put the Reds ahead, before Mohamed Salah finished the job late on. But there was little doubt that Gakpo was the main man against Leicester.
The game was made all the more special for the Dutchman as his former manager at PSV Eindhoven, Ruud van Nistelrooy, is now on the Leicester bench.
And after the game, the former Man United striker had some kind words about what he’s now seeing from Gakpo at Liverpool.
Ruud van Nistelrooy hails Cody Gakpo development
Liverpool have been starting to see the best of Gakpo in recent weeks.
The 25-year-old’s goal against the Foxes was his tenth of the season and the eighth in his past 13 appearances for the Reds.
At a crucial time of the season, Gakpo is really coming up trumps.
Thursday was arguably his best performance over that impressive run, as he put Liverpool on his back and hauled them level.
And asked to comment on Gakpo by Amazon Prime Sport after the game, Van Nistelrooy praised the development he’s seen from his former player since he joined Liverpool two years ago.
“He’s here now for a while already,” said the manager. “He developed and got used to the level, got used to the Premier League and Champions League. He’s still improving a lot and he made big steps.”
Gakpo getting better and better
This was quite a statement performance from Gakpo. With Liverpool one down during a frustrating first-half, it was he who looked the most likely.
Mohamed Salah hit the bar and Darwin Nunez buzzed about as usual, but if felt as though if the Reds were to get a goal, Gakpo would be at the centre of it.
In the end that was exactly as it turned out, with the Netherlands international firing in a stupendous equaliser.
Now into double figures for the season, Gakpo is well on the way to hitting 20 goals before the campaign is out.
As he starts to come into his peak as a footballer, there’s a developing sense that Liverpool are only just starting to see what their No.18 is all about.
