Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo is confident the forward will step up to cover Mohamed Salah’s pending absence.
Darwin Núñez ended a run of 12 games without scoring, while Diogo Jota came off the bench to score after a month out through injury in Tuesday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Burnley, which put the Jurgen Klopp’s team at the top of the table.
Salah has one more game, at home against Newcastle on Sunday, before leaving for the African Cup of Nations with Egypt and the 16-goal winger is likely to be out for a month.
Jota’s timely return therefore boosts the numbers at the top, while Nunez’s confidence has increased with his first Premier League goal since October.
Gakpo himself has seven for the season, the last coming in last week’s Carabao Cup match against West Ham after he was denied a goal at Turf Moor when referee Paul Tierney ruled that Nunez had committed a foul. lack in preparation, and believes they have enough. firepower to get ahead in Salah’s absence.
“For every attacking player who hasn’t scored for a few games, it’s always good to score again and Darwin did it with a very good goal,” Gakpo said.
“For Diogo too. When you’re injured and you come back and score, it’s always good and good for confidence. Very happy.
“Mo left after the Newcastle game so we need the goals. Of course, I think I can contribute even more.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also believes they can cope with Salah’s expected long absence, despite the Egypt international having been their main threat for so many seasons.
“It is always important for the forward players to score goals. I am delighted for Darwin. Diogo, it’s the same story. It’s good to see the boys scoring again,” said the Dutch defender.
“I also want to say that Cody was outstanding, especially in the first half. It’s good to see it.
“Everyone has to keep pushing each other. Only then can we improve.
“Others have to step up anyway. We have to deal with the loss of Mo and we have players up front who can make the difference. Let’s see how we deal with it.”
Liverpool’s return to the top of the Premier League probably matters more to the outside world than within the team, which refuses to look beyond its next game.
“The table doesn’t look in a bad place, but we have to take it game by game, not let our heads go everywhere, just stay focused and continue doing what we are doing now and even improve more. ”Added Gakpo, who is enjoying his first experience with the English festive programme.
“It’s the first time I’ve played with this intensity (many games in a few days) and it’s nice because if you play a good game you can play it again and if you play a not so good game you can make it.” Good for the next game, since it comes well and quickly,” he added.
“Everyone wants the three points, including the rivals, so you have to work very hard in each game and you have to be able to win games in different ways.”
