Liverpool reach League Cup quarter-finals as Arne Slot continues fine run
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Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring their first goal in the 3-2 League Cup win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Oct 30.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Forward Cody Gakpo scored a brace, as Liverpool continued their fine form under Arne Slot, beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 on Oct 30 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals.
While the Dutch international has not scored in the Premier League or Champions League this season, he has now registered four goals in two League Cup games, following a double in the 5-1 win over West Ham United in the previous round.
At the Amex Stadium, Gakpo showed his prowess with two powerful finishes after cutting inside onto his right foot from the left wing to help the holders book a last-eight meeting with Southampton in December.
Asked how close the 25-year-old is to being a regular starter, Slot said: “For me, he is a regular starter.
“He is not starting every game but he has started on a regular basis and he is in a tough competition with Luis Diaz, who, in the moment he went on the left, also scored a goal. So, that’s normal.
“If you play at a club like Liverpool, you have got two quality players for many positions.”
This was the Reds’ 12th win in 14 games in all competitions under Slot, as they also trail Premier League leaders Manchester City by only a point.
Asked what is behind their eight-match unbeaten run on the road, Slot, whose side will host Brighton in the league on Nov 2, said: “A bit of everything.
“So, maybe in some situations the fixture list and in some situations, just the quality of the players we can put on the team sheet and I think it is also our playing style that helps us.
“But yeah, and then it’s only been 13 or 14 games or something like this, but it’s been a very good start away from home but also at home and we need good form on Saturday as well because we came here knowing they are a good team and that’s also what they showed today.”
After a goal-less first half, Gakpo fired the Reds in front with his strikes in the 46th and 63rd minutes.
Simon Adingra pulled one back for the hosts in the 81st minute, but Luis Diaz restored Liverpool’s two-goal cushion four minutes later.
Brighton scored again through Tariq Lamptey, but the Reds held on.
Over at Deepdale, Arsenal teenage midfielder Ethan Nwaneri caught the eye with a sensational strike as the Gunners eased to a 3-0 win at Championship side Preston North End, knocking out the last non-Premier League team left in the competition.
Receiving the ball just outside the area, the 17-year-old shimmied onto his left foot before sending the ball into the top-left corner past Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.
“He did it yesterday in training so we’re used to that,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. “He’s a big talent, he’s got the right attitude, he’s got the right players and context around him and we need to make sure that we put brick by brick in the right order but we have some player here.”
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz got the other goals. The Gunners will meet Crystal Palace for a place in the semi-finals after the Eagles grabbed a 2-1 win at Aston Villa.
Newcastle beat Chelsea 2-0 at home to avenge their Oct 27 Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge, easing the pressure on manager Eddie Howe.
Alexander Isak’s strike and an Axel Disasi own goal inside three first-half minutes proved decisive at St James’ Park. The Magpies are at home against Brentford in the last eight. REUTERS, AFP
