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Liverpool were unable to end their UEFA Champions League league phase with a 100% record as the Reds fell to a 3-2 defeat against PSV Eindhoven.

A frantic first-half saw five goals scored as the Dutch side managed to wrap up their first win against the Anfield side, with Arne Slot bringing a heavily weakened squad to Eindhoven as Jayden Danns made Liverpool history with his start in the XI.

With Slot also impressed with James McConnell’s display, it was a good night for Liverpool’s youngsters despite the result, with the Reds having the rare luxury of getting to bring a second-string side to a Champions League game ahead of this weekend’s Premier League tie against AFC Bournemouth.

Indeed, Liverpool’s fringe players gave a good account for themselves in the Netherlands last night, and Peter Crouch was full of praise for one name who this season has come leaps and bounds under Slot.

Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images

Speaking on TNT Sports, the former Liverpool striker lauded Cody Gakpo and the winger’s development this season under Slot, with the former PSV man on course to enjoy his best season yet since leaving the Dutch side for Anfield over two years ago.

Gakpo scored against PSV but refused to celebrate against his former side as the 24-year-old attacker once again showed why he is one of Liverpool’s most dangerous players this season, and Crouch has been amazed by the strides the forward has made in improving his game under Slot.

Crouch said: “He’s so good from the left-hand-side.

Diaz has quite often played out on the left with Gakpo playing through the middle and obviously this season Arne Slot has swapped them, and just looks so much better.

“Coming off the left in the summer for the Netherlands he was fantastic, and you need that kind of Gakpo week-in week-out at Liverpool, and that’s what we’re seeing this season, it’s been a breath of fresh air, he’s looking incredibly sharp.”

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Mohamed Salah might be the Liverpool attacker grabbing all the headlines this season, but Gakpo’s form has gone quietly under the radar for the Reds, with the Dutch international set for his best year yet at Anfield.

Cody Gakpo’s 2024/25 Liverpool statsGames playedGoalsAssistsPremier League2283League Cup441UEFA Champions League731Total33155

Last night’s penalty was Gakpo’s 15th goal in all competitions with the winger also managing five assists, with the 24-year-old Liverpool’s second-top goalscorer this campaign having finally found his feet again playing out on the left.

Slot cracking the code on how to get the best out of Gakpo will be key for Liverpool in their quest to win as much silverware as possible this season, and now it’s up to the winger to maintain this form and to keep striving to do better.

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