Liverpool got back to winning ways on Tuesday as they kicked off their Champions League campaign in style.
The Reds were in need of a positive performance against AC Milan after suffering a surprise first defeat of the season on Saturday.
And despite going down to an early goal, Liverpool put in the display needed to banish any lingering disappointment over the loss against Nottingham Forest.
With a hectic run of fixtures on the horizon, it was crucial that the Liverpool squad showed a good reaction in Milan.
Once again, Arne Slot chose to make minimal changes to his starting XI, relying largely on those who had failed to hit their level against Forest. But although they were only minor tweaks, the switches could now have a big impact moving forward.
Luis Diaz put under pressure by Cody Gakpo
Liverpool’s failure to score against Forest was perhaps the thing that most stuck in the craw about Saturday’s loss.
Perhaps there is a whiff of entitlement about this stance, but the Reds should not be failing to find the net against any team at Anfield, let alone one who finished 17th last season.
As a result, it was a welcome change to see Cody Gakpo come in to the forward line in place of Luis Diaz.
Diaz has been good so far this season, but the Colombian was utterly anonymous against Forest and still has question marks over his effectiveness.
Gakpo also has those doubts attached to him, but the Dutchman was at it right from the start against Milan.
Although he did not manage to find the net, Gakpo was a constant threat and eventually registered a quality assist for Dominik Szoboszlai to score Liverpool’s third.
Alan Shearer called Gakpo ‘magnificent‘ on the back of that and it really added some shine to what was probably one of the 25-year-old’s best performances for the Reds.
With the bit between his teeth, Gakpo should now be given the chance to build some momentum from the left wing. A second start of the campaign should follow on Saturday.
Cody Gakpo should start against Bournemouth
The weekend’s game against Bournemouth is likely to follow a similar pattern to the one against Forest.
The Cherries are a more expansive side than Nuno Espirito Santo’s, though, so could leave a few more gaps to exploit.
If Gakpo can bring the same directness and will to attack his man as he showed at San Siro, then he should be the player given the shirt.
That would perhaps be a little harsh on Diaz, but the £50m man is in direct competition with Gakpo for the left-sided spot and a display like the one Cody put in on Tuesday should be rewarded.
As the season wears on, there may be a more clearer winner of this battle. Diaz has done well for the most part, but it’s Gakpo’s time now.
