Here are your Liverpool evening headlines for Wednesday, February 15.
Cody Gakpo broke Jurgen Klopp 'golden rule'
New Liverpool signing Cody Gakpo announced himself at Anfield on Monday with a goal against Everton - but is he up to speed with all of Jurgen Klopp's rules?
The 23-year-old Dutchman has made seven appearances for the Reds since moving to Merseyside from PSV Eindhoven in a £37million deal last month. After bedding in, the forward has now made his mark, netting Liverpool's second goal against their city rivals in a much-needed 2-0 win.
But before kick-off, eagle-eyed fans noticed the Netherlands international performing a ritual that is technically off-limits to him, for now at least. While entering the field of play before the match, Gakpo was seen to touch the 'This is Anfield' sign above his head as he walked through the tunnel towards the pitch. The moment was filmed on the club's Inside Anfield Youtube feature.
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As innocent as this may seem, it contradicts a 'rule' that Kop boss Klopp put in place early in his reign. Speaking back in 2016, he said: “I’ve told my players not to touch the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign until they win something!"
Liverpool have swept the board in terms of silverware since the new rule was shared by their manager, but new players like Gakpo have not yet earned that privilege. Even summer signing Darwin Nunez could argue his entitlement, having already won the Community Shield with the Reds, but it is still very early days for the new number 18.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah set stunning record
The opening goal in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Everton was a classic counter attack from the Reds. The move set a new Premier League record for the fastest goal following a woodwork hit at the other end of the pitch, writes Andrew Beasley.
While Mohamed Salah was no doubt grateful for the bizarre positioning of Blues goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, the Egyptian knew who he really had to thank for his 100th league goal contribution at Anfield. As his teammates engulfed him in front of the Kop, Salah tried to break free to deliver one of his trademark assist points in the direction of Darwin Nunez.
It was he who had carried the ball half the length of the pitch while evading challenges in order to deliver it perfectly to Salah. It continued a theme of the campaign and one which can definitely help Liverpool over the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
Nunez now has four assists for the Reds, equalling the total he posted in his final campaign with Benfica. They have all created goals for Salah, though as he has been the Uruguayan’s joint-most frequent Liverpool teammate (along with Alisson Becker) that isn’t surprising. Indeed, thanks to the number 11’s remarkable fitness record, Nunez has only played 145 minutes for the Reds without Salah also being on the pitch.
The goals they have fashioned have mostly occurred in big games too. Nunez assisted Salah against Fulham (in his Premier League debut), Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City (in the Carabao Cup) and Everton. With two opening goals and two equalisers, they’ve all been important strikes.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
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