Fulham 2-2 Liverpool: Match Review
Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw against Fulham in the Premier League with Cody Gakpo thinking he had scored the winner.
Neil Mellor says that he was 'made up' that Cody Gakpo was back on the Liverpool scoresheet at Fulham
The Netherlands international has struggled to hit the form that he displayed when the Reds won the Premier League title last season.
The sale of Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich has promoted Gakpo to first-choice left winger in Arne Slot's side. But there have been sections of supporters who have felt that his performances have not been to the required standard.
Gakpo returned from injury for last Sunday's clash against Fulham. With Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak injured, the former PSV Eindhoven man was tasked with spearheading the attack and he thought he'd netted Liverpool a 94th-minute winner before Fulham's Harrison Reed scored a stunning equaliser three minutes later.
What’s been said
And while former Liverpool striker Mellor knows that Gakpo ‘divides opinion, he was delighted to see the Dutchman on the scoresheet. Speaking on The Official Liverpool FC Podcast, Mellor said: “A lot of the players were in front of Fulham. First half, no-one was really making the run in behind and Fulham could deal with that. The second half, it felt like [Milos] Kerkez and Conor Bradley were playing higher.
“In terms of creativity, we are missing Mo Salah. Isak is injured and Ekitike wasn't available. We're missing three attacking players who can all add something to the attack
“I was made up to see Gakpo back, I have to say. I think Gakpo is a player who divides opinion at times because of his end product. But he will give you numbers where he will make something happen. He ends up scoring a goal, first half he had a couple of shots, so you know you'll get some attacking creative moments.”
‘He hangs on shoulders’
Liverpool’s performance against Fulham in the first half was largely toothless with no out-and-out striker, while Mo Salah was missing as he represents Egypt at the African Cup of Nations.
The Reds did improve in the second half, with Wirtz equalising and Gakpo on target. But when Slot’s side travel to leaders Arsenal on Thursday, they’ll be hoping that Ekitike is available. Jason McAteer believes that Liverpool missed the France international’s ability to go to feet and play off the shoulder.
The ex-Reds midfielder said: “You can look and think he's a goal threat but Mells backs a great point that [Ekitike’s] not just a threat who can put the ball in the back of the net but he can go to feet, which makes the defender think do I go with him or pass him on but also in behind.
“He hangs on shoulders. OK, Fulham soaked up the initial pressure from Liverpool and they sat a bit deeper but there was always going to be that point where they played a higher line and went looking for a goal because they were at home.
“They're going to get their own way at certain times and that's when Ekitike is looking to go in behind and you have players in Liverpool's teams who have ability to get him in. When you're not posing that threat, Wirtz wants to go the ball, Gakpo wants to come inside or go to the ball, there's no real threat in behind. We didn't have that and it was comfortable for Fulham.”
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