Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk praises Cody Gakpo after Ipswich win

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has praised Cody Gakpo’s start to the season and says the Netherlands international remains an important player for the club after the 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town.

The result gave Liverpool their first win of the campaign in the third round of the Premier League, with Alexander Isak scoring twice from opportunities created by Gakpo.

Van Dijk told Sky Sports: “I said before the transfer window closed that Cody Gakpo is an important player for us, and he will remain so this season as well.”

Gakpo has made a strong contribution in each of Liverpool’s opening three matches. He scored against Newcastle United on the first matchday, supplied an assist against Nottingham Forest in the second, and added two more assists in the win over Ipswich Town.

Van Dijk said Gakpo had already demonstrated his value against Ipswich, as well as during the previous game and over a longer period at Liverpool.

“He proved that against Ipswich, as well as last week with his assists, and over the last two years. So, we want him to continue,” the Liverpool captain added.

The praise comes only days after Liverpool rejected a substantial offer from Manchester City for Gakpo during the closing hours of the summer transfer window.

Van Dijk had previously spoken to the English newspaper the Mirror about the possibility of Gakpo leaving, making clear his desire for the forward to remain at Anfield.

“Gakpo is a player with great quality, and I think we should keep players with quality,” Van Dijk said at the time.

He added: “We will see what the next few days will bring, I want him to stay, not only because he is a player with great quality, but also because he is a friend of mine, he is a very important player for us.”

Gakpo has made 183 appearances for Liverpool since joining the club, scoring 51 goals and providing 26 assists.

Liverpool’s victory over Ipswich moved them on to five points from their opening three Premier League matches. They had drawn their first two games before securing their first victory of the season and will now wait for the results involving their rivals in the third round.

The performance also underlined Gakpo’s growing influence in the attack. His goal in the opening round, followed by assists in the second and third matches, has allowed him to make a direct contribution throughout the early stages of the campaign.

For Liverpool, the result provided a first three-point haul of the season, while Van Dijk’s comments offered a clear indication of the club’s confidence in Gakpo’s importance to the squad.