Gakpo: “It’s when the going gets tough that the real team shows up”

Cody Gakpo has no first-hand experience of European nights at Anfield. He will get a chance to on Tuesday, against possibly the most regal opponents possible, as title holders Real Madrid are guests of Liverpool in the first part of their Champions League Round of 16 tie. The Dutch winger, who joined the Reds on a 42 million euro deal from PSV in the winter transfer window, opened his account in the recent Merseyside derby and doubled his personal tally a few days later in Liverpool’s 0-2 win over Newcastle. He joined manager Jürgen Klopp in taking questions from the media ahead of the Madrid game.

Debut goal against Everton and scoring in the next game, against Newcastle: “Of course it’s a great feeling to score a first goal, knowing that it was a really important game for us. And it was the Merseyside derby, so that was a good way to open my scoring account. And then to follow it up with a goal against Newcastle, I think that game was also very important for us to show that, we had a difficult period but that we are climbing back from that and that we are eager to perform and keep doing better.”

How do you feel about facing Madrid? “As a team, we are ready. We want to win, especially at home. We want go through to the next round so, we have to be ready and I think we are. Like I said before, we had a difficult period then we won two games in a row - it’s normal that the confidence is coming back. We are really confident now, working hard and trying to improve, and keep winning games. It’s the knockout phase so there is a lot at stake but we want to prove and show that we are a good team and that we are still there. We will try to win at home, and try to win away.”

Team recovery: “When you’re a footballer you want to win. I just try to stay positive and do everything I can to improve. The games we won we played better than before. Now we have to maintain that intensity.”

Greater difficulty in Liverpool: “You have to adapt to a new environment, a new league, new country... Personally, it’s a lot to adapt to. I think that’s the biggest challenge. There’s nothing specific, I am the kind of person for whom the total package is really important. When that’s OK, I feel better. My team mates are amazing, they helped me to settle in as quick as possible from day one. The whole club is amazing, everybody is nice to me, trying to help me in every way they can. I am very grateful for that”.

What has changed in the team? “It’s difficult to put a finger on what has changed. Everyone knows that when you are not winning games, it’s difficult. For me, I can sense that the group is really good, we come together and try to stay together in the difficult moments. I think that’s one of the strengths of this team. From then on, you know that you are going to win some games. We have to keep working hard and improving things to keep winning games.

“When it’s difficult, the real team shows up. I think we are one of those teams. We really stick together, even when it was difficult, we try to stay positive and keep helping each other. Now we have a big opportunity to show that we are back on track”.

Playing in the Champions League: “It’s going to be my second game in the Champions League, so I am really looking forward to it. I have to prove I can perform at the same level as I did at the World Cup. I’m eager to do that.

“I think this is one of the one of the biggest competitions in Europe, in the world. It is a dream for every football player to play in this competition. For me to have that opportunity is great. But we have to focus on the game, I’m not thinking about that, we’ll try to perform and do our best”.

Best position: “During the past three years I’ve played on the left side, but at the World Cup, under Louis van Gaal, I played in the centre. So I had already tried to adapt to that, and when I came here, I spoke with the coach and he said it’s possible to play on the left or through the centre. I try to adapt and do my best”.