Atalanta vs Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp recalls 24-year-old for Europa League lineup | OneFootball

Jurgen Klopp has recalled Cody Gakpo to the Liverpool lineup for the Reds' mammoth task against Atalanta in the UEFA Europa League.

Cody Gakpo is back in the Liverpool lineup as they take on Atalanta tonight in the UEFA Europa League. The Dutchman sat on the bench against Crystal Palace in midweek, only coming on for the final 24 minutes.

Gakpo has certainly had his critics, particularly in 2024, but he was arguably Liverpool's best player against Atalanta last week. The 24-year-old played the full 90 minutes and actually created five chances for the team.

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That was the most of any player on the pitch - but no one converted any of them. In fact, his stats from that night were pretty spectacular for a 3-0 home defeat.

He completed five dribbles, for instance, on a night when no one else managed more than two. Atalanta only just matched him as a team.

Defensively, Gakpo won two tackles against Atalanta - only Alexis Mac Allister beat that in Red.

So all in all, on what was a terrible night for pretty much everyone, Gakpo actually put in a really solid performance. It explains why Jurgen Klopp would turn back to the player tonight.

Football - FA Premier League - Liverpool FC v Luton Town FC LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 21, 2024: Liverpool s Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Luton Town FC at Anfield. Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda LIVERPOOL Anfield MERSEYSIDE ENGLAND PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xDavidxRawcliffex P2024-02-21-Liverpool_Luton-38

Atalanta struggled to handle him at Anfield. If he can repeat that in Bergamo, perhaps the Reds actually have a chance. Though, there's a caveat.

Cody Gakpo in 2024

Gakpo hasn't been in goalscoring or assisting form since January. His only goals have come in 4-1 wins against Brentford and Luton Town, a 6-1 second-leg win over Sparta Prague and a 3-1 win over Sheffield United. There has only been one assist, too - in that same Brentford game.

We've only seen goals or assists from him in two of his last 12 games, in fact. It's something he's got to correct over the last month of the campaign if Liverpool are to challenge for anything else.

And that starts tonight against Atalanta.

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