English media are delighted with Cody Gakpo: 'Liverpool avoid an inconceivable blunder'
Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak have sent the English media into raptures after Liverpool's 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. The Swede scored both goals, while Gakpo supplied two assists and in doing so underlined why Liverpool can count themselves fortunate that his transfer to Manchester City did not go through.
Just a few days earlier, the fact Gakpo was still at Anfield was far from certain. The 27-year-old Netherlands international already saw himself as a Manchester City player, only for a move worth almost EUR100 million including bonuses to collapse at the last moment when Liverpool backtracked. Gakpo was said by the Algemeen Dagblad to be deeply disappointed and angry about how events unfolded, after being told several times over the summer that he would be allowed to leave, only to then be denied a move after all.
That frustration was nowhere to be seen on Friday evening as Gakpo produced two sublime assists for Isak against Ipswich. The Daily Mail revels in the Swedish striker's display and leads with "Alexander the Great". "Liverpool were so enchantingly impressive in the first half at Portman Road that you could almost forget their marquee signing was warming up on the bench," the newspaper writes, referring to Bradley Barcola.
Barcola, signed from Paris Saint-Germain for EUR144 million, could only watch as Isak and Gakpo tore Ipswich apart. "Alexander Isak led the way with two goals in the opening nine minutes. The front line with Gakpo and Munoz caused Ipswich all sorts of problems."
The Daily Mail also has warm words for Gakpo. "Liverpool's attack is terrifying. Gakpo looked reborn. The grass is not always greener on the other side and Gakpo now looks once again like the flying Dutchman everyone knows he can be," it says.
For the BBC, the focus is chiefly on Isak, who struggled repeatedly with injuries during his first 12 months at Anfield. "He made use of the familiar surroundings of Portman Road to truly get his Liverpool career off the ground," the British broadcaster writes, pointing out that Isak scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win on his previous visit to Suffolk for Newcastle United.
The BBC also believes Isak has found his ideal attacking partner in Gakpo. "Gakpo seems to be the perfect partner. The Dutchman no longer appeared to be affected by his failed move to the Etihad Stadium and continued his impressive start to the season with two assists for the former Newcastle United striker."
The Sun goes a step further, claiming Liverpool escaped a huge mistake when Gakpo's transfer collapsed. "Liverpool have accidentally managed to avoid an unbelievable blunder in the transfer market, one that would undoubtedly have come back to haunt them later," writes the tabloid, which stresses that it was incomprehensible the club were willing to sell the Netherlands international.
