Gakpo: “I Can’t Wait”

Amidst all the excitement of the summer transfer season, the start of the season has crept up on us. Liverpool FC will kick off their season against Crystal Palace at Wembley this Sunday in the Community Shield. Ahead of their season kick-off, forward Cody Gakpo looked back on the preseason and the preparations that was done for the long season ahead:

“I think it was a good pre-season from the team. I think we worked very hard and enjoyed some good games as well. I think everybody is eager to start now this upcoming weekend. I can’t wait.”

On the many new faces that are around the team this season, Gakpo spoke about how integrating them into the group has gone:

“I think we have a good group in general. That makes it maybe a little bit easier to adapt for new players to come in. I think a lot of the players knew each other maybe from playing against each other in the national team or things like this. For example, Jeremie [Frimpong] and Flo [Florian Wirtz] came from the same club. That’s also easy. Jeremie plays with the Dutch boys in the national team and others [have] those kinds of things too. I think they adapted well and quick, hopefully they feel at home as well. It’s good.”

Gakpo also spoke about the prospect of starting the season with a trophy and going up against Crystal Palace:

“Obviously we’re going to play the Community Shield. It’s going to be an important game for us to start the season well and that’s what we’re here for. We’re going to give it our best shot. Hopefully we come back with the Community Shield.”

“I think if we can play a good game and [produce] a good performance and get the trophy back home then we have good momentum for the rest of the beginning of the season. To begin well is always very important.”

“It’s obviously a very good side. I think they proved that last season as well against us but also against other teams. They didn’t win the FA Cup without quality, so that means they have a lot of quality and a lot of good players. They deserved to win that trophy. It’s going to be a tough game with some good players on their side and good players on our side. Hopefully [it ends] with us [getting] the win.”

One more game and one more weekend before Arne Slot’s men begin their defence of the Premier League title. Up the Reds!

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com