NETHERLANDS forward Cody Gakpo finally netted his first goal for Liverpool tonight in their 2-0 Premier League victory over Everton, who had Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi in their team.
Gakpo joined Liverpool for £45 million from PSV Eindhoven in January after an impressive start to the season for the Dutch side, but he failed to score or register an assist in his first six games.
He opened his account tonight with the second goal of the game after Mohamed Salah had given Liverpool the lead in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Everton had defended well in the opening minutes but they were caught by a blistering counter-attack after 36 minutes.
Toffees defender James Tarkowski’s header hit the post at one end before Darwin Nunez raced clear, squaring for Salah to take advantage of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford’s poor positioning with a simple finish.
Liverpool sealed the win four minutes after the break as Gakpo tapped in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross at the far post to finally get off the mark.
It is Liverpool’s first win in all competitions in what has been a miserable 2023, which has brought them heavy away defeats at Brentford, Brighton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The result is a reminder to Everton that things can change quickly, coming just over a week from their shock 1-0 win over league leaders Arsenal in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge.
Everton, who had the ever-present Iwobi on for the full game, are in the relegation zone in 18th spot, while Liverpool leapfrogged Chelsea into ninth.
