100% pass success: Journalist wowed by ‘superb’ Liverpool wizard who won 4 duels v Sheffield Utd

Several Liverpool players came good when needed as the Reds prevailed 3-1 against Sheffield United on Thursday night, with one journalist hailing a few contributions from Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The clinching goal came from Cody Gakpo in the 90th minute as he crashed a header past Ivo Grbic from a sumptuous Andy Robertson cross, and Ian Doyle was eager to praise the Dutchman, who came off the bench to good effect.

In his post-match analysis for the Liverpool Echo, the reporter wrote: “Andy Robertson was excellent in a cameo that saw him create the third goal headed home by Cody Gakpo who, after a few difficult performances, was superb in his showing.”

Having been pilloried over a costly moment in the FA Cup defeat at Manchester United last month, Gakpo’s 20-minute outing last night felt redemptive, and not just for the goal which eventually killed off the game as a contest.

As per Sofascore, the 24-year-old won four duels, executed three key passes, recorded two successful dribbles and notably completed every single pass that he played (13).

The Dutchman might have shipped criticism over some recent displays but his form in front of goal has been decent, having netted twice in the 6-1 Anfield rout of Sparta Prague and posted three goals and an assist in his last six outings (effectively five games when considering that he had a token minute off the bench against Brighton last Sunday).

On a night when Mo Salah was rather subdued, Gakpo came good to settle any late nerves at Anfield. He could be needed a few more times over the coming weeks if there’s another game where it’s not quite happening for of his fellow Liverpool attackers.