GOAL rates all of the Reds on show as the Dutchman helped himself to another two goals to see the champions through to the last eight

Just call Cody Gakpo the King of the Carabao Cup! The Dutchman’s double helped Liverpool kick-off their titlAs the Dutchman assisted himself to two more goals to lead the champs to the round of eight, GOAL evaluates all of the Reds on display.

Simply refer to Cody Gakpo as the Carabao Cup King! He now has eight goals in the competition since the beginning of last season. The Dutchman’s double helped Liverpool begin their title defense with a 5-1 thumping of West Ham at the end of September. He also scored another two in Wednesday’s 3-2 victory at Brighton in the fourth round.

Gakpo stunned everyone with his first goal at the Amex in the 46th minute. The agile winger moved inside onto his preferred right foot and then sent the ball past Jason Steele from the left side of the area. Halfway into the second half, Gakpo scored again, this time rifling home after jumping on some careless play by Tariq Lamptey.

Simon Adingra gave Brighton a goal with ten minutes remaining, but Luis Diaz quickly gave Arne Slot’s team a two-goal lead again. This was fortunate for the visitors, as Lamptey’s deflected shot went past Vitezslav Jaros in the closing minute.e defence with a 5-1 rout of West Ham at the tail end of September, and he bagged another brace in Wednesday’s 3-2 fourth-round win at Brighton, meaning he now has eight goals in the competition since the start of last season.

Gakpo’s 46th-minute opener at the Amex was a stunner, with the versatile winger cutting inside onto his favoured right foot before whipping the ball past Jason Steele from the left-hand side of the area. Gakpo struck again midway through the second half, this time rifling home after pouncing on some sloppy play from Tariq Lamptey.

Brighton pulled a goal back with 10 minutes to go through Simon Adingra, but Arne Slot’s side promptly restored their two-goal advantage thanks to Luis Diaz – which was just as well for the visitors, as Lamptey’s deflected effort found its way past Vitezslav Jaros in the final minute.

Goalkeeper & Defence

Vitezslav Jaros (7.5/10):

With Kelleher temporarily first-choice because of Alisson’s injury, Liverpool’s No.3 was handed a first start for the club and got the better of Lamptey in a one-on-one in the first half before pulling off an even better finger-tip save to deny Adingra after the break. Nothing he could have done about Lamptey’s late goal but he might be disappointed that he didn’t do a better job dealing with the Ferguson effort that led to Adingra’s goal.

Conor Bradley (6.5/10):

Alexander-Arnold’s apparent heir was always looking to get forward, even popping up in central attacking areas, but didn’t exactly advance his claims for a starting spot.

Joe Gomez (6.5/10):

A rare start in his preferred position at centre-back and did well. Good on the ball and strong in the air.

Jarell Quansah (4/10):

Began brightly, hoovering up a lot of possession in the first half, but went to pieces in the closing stages and was hauled off in injury-time after giving the ball away for Brighton’s first goal, and then unfortunately deflecting Lamptey’s shot past his own goalkeeper for their second.

Andy Robertson (6.5/10):

Captain for the evening and was far more influential than he was at Arsenal on Sunday, setting up Szoboszlai for a good chance while also going close to scoring just before the break. But Lamptey’s pace caused him problems throughout.

Midfield

Tyler Morton (7/10):

A little loose with his passing in the first half but always looking to make something happen, so no surprise to see him find Gakpo in space for the Dutchman’s opener. Also impressed with his willingness to get stuck in before his withdrawal.

Wataru Endo (6/10):

Started slowly but was metronomic with his passing thereafter and, as usual, also won a lot of duels in the middle of the park. Booked after the break, though, and that, coupled with his lack of match fitness, contributed to the Japan international coming off midway through the second half.

Curtis Jones (7/10):

Very neat and tidy in possession but wasn’t as influential as he would have liked. Still, won the ball back well and nearly never gave it away.

Attack

Luis Diaz (7.5/10):

Gakpo was on the left, then he moved to the right to play the role of Salah, but he didn’t appear very at ease. However, he scored Liverpool’s game-winning third goal after returning to his preferred position. Having two outstanding forwards competing for the same slot is such a blessing for the Reds!

Dominik Szoboszlai (7/10):

Asked to play the ‘false nine’ role and did it well. The Hungarian was involved in all of Liverpool’s best attacks and saw a couple of good efforts well saved by Steele.

Cody Gakpo (8.5/10):

What more can you say? The man just loves this competition. On this form, though, Gakpo is pushing hard for a place in Slot’s starting line-up in the Premier League, which is what he really craves.

Subs & Goalkeeper

Alexis Mac Allister (6/10):

Came on for Endo just after the hour mark but didn’t really help Liverpool gain control of the game on his old stomping ground.

Trey Nyoni (6/10):

The teenager replaced Morton in midfield in the 65th minute and managed to get one effort away on goal.

Mohamed Salah (N/A):

Somewhat surprisingly brought on for the final 20 minutes but didn’t get a sight of goal.

Darwin Nunez (N/A):

Part of a double-substitution with Salah but, just like the Egyptian, didn’t really get into the game.

Ibrahima Konate (N/A):

Thrown on in place of poor Quansah but did little other than get booked!

Arne Slot (7/10):

Prior to Saturday’s league match against the same opponents, Slot naturally decided to rest a number of their best players. Although Liverpool appeared toothless for extended periods of time without a recognized No. 9, they eventually prevailed because Slot chose to start Gakpo on the left instead of Diaz. However, he will be worried about Quansah’s crisis of confidence and their lack of poise in the latter stages. Still, Slot has won 12 of 14 games throughout all tournaments.