Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings delivered a strong tackle on Liverpool star Cody Gakpo
Liverpool midfielder Cody Gakpo has spoken out for the first time since being tackled by Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings during the sides’ 1-1 draw at Anfield on Saturday.
Villans defender Midway through the first half, Mings caught Reds striker Gakpo with a high boot, leaving the former PSV Eindhoven captain with a visible mark on his abdomen.
Gakpo later claimed he had scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season. However, after consulting with the VAR monitor, referee John Brooks ruled it out.
Unlike Mings’ second-half strike, which nestled in front of the Kop, Brooks did not check the monitor for Mings’ rash challenge on Gakpo, and the England international was allowed to play on with caution.
“It was a heavy hit, but the ref decided to give a yellow card, so we just have to keep going,” the 24-year-old explained to Astro Super Sport. “We just play with it and accept it.”
“It was excruciatingly painful,” Gakpo added. “I just hope it wasn’t anything serious and that I could continue playing.” “I was fine.”
Jurgen Klopp was serving the first of two touchline bans, one of which is suspended until the end of the season, after being fined £75,000 for comments made following Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The German was in the Main Stand for the draw against Villa and would have been disappointed with the Reds’ first-half performance, in which they failed to land a glove on their European rivals.
Liverpool played much better in the second half, eventually finding the back of the net through Roberto Firmino before piling the pressure on the visitors but ultimately settling for a point.
“It was excruciatingly painful,” Gakpo added. “I just hope it wasn’t anything serious and that I could continue playing.” “I was fine.”
Jurgen Klopp was serving the first of two touchline bans, one of which is suspended until the end of the season, after being fined £75,000 for comments made following Liverpool’s 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The German was in the Main Stand for the draw against Villa and would have been disappointed with the Reds’ first-half performance, in which they failed to land a glove on their European rivals.
Liverpool played much better in the second half, eventually finding the back of the net through Roberto Firmino before piling the pressure on the visitors but ultimately settling for a point.
Gakpo, who arrived primarily on the wings, has played as a false nine since his arrival at Anfield, a position he admits he enjoys. “In the second half, we sped up the play a little bit, and there was more space for me to drop and come in between the lines,” the Netherlands international explained.
“Then I can really contribute to the team, and I enjoy playing there.” I believe it is one of my strengths that I can bring to the team, but it was a little difficult in the first half due to the tight space.
“But then I or we have to make it more difficult for them, but we have to analyze that and do it better the next time.”
“The first goal was to adjust to the faster pace of play, new surroundings, and everything, but I really enjoyed it, the fans are amazing, and the club is fantastic.” “I’m looking forward to next season,” Gakpo said of his first four months on Merseyside.
Firmino, in his final Liverpool match at Anfield, proved his worth once more by canceling out Jacob Ramsey’s header. The 31-year-old has yet to announce his next move, but he couldn’t hold back his tears during an emotional farewell in L4 after being serenaded for the second time this week after the travelling Kop sang his iconic song during the win over Leicester City.
“I learned a lot from him, and I’m still trying to learn from him,” Gakpo said. “I think everybody knows what kind of player he [Roberto Firmino] is, he’s a great player and has been helpful to me, so I can learn a lot from him.”
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