Gakpo the Standout as Liverpool Progress in the EFL Cup

Liverpool 3-1 Tottenham – EFL Cup Man of the Match

Cody Gakpo is starting to look like a completely different player under Andoni Iraola .

The Dutch international was once again at the heart of everything good Liverpool produced against Tottenham, contributing to all three goals as the Reds secured a 3–1 victory at Anfield and progressed in the EFL Cup.

A hockey-type assist for the opening goal, a superb strike to double Liverpool's advantage and then an assist for the third made Gakpo the obvious choice for Man of the Match.

But the importance of his performance goes beyond the numbers.

There has been a noticeable change in Gakpo since Iraola arrived. The player who looked increasingly uncertain about his future on Merseyside during the summer is now beginning to look like somebody perfectly suited to the football this new Liverpool side is attempting to play.

The tempo is different. The movement is different. The intention is different.

Liverpool are playing faster and more directly, and that appears to suit Gakpo enormously.

The opening goal was a perfect example of Gakpo's contribution. He was involved in the move, carried the ball intelligently and helped create the opportunity before Liverpool eventually found the breakthrough.

Gakpo received the opportunity and made absolutely no mistake, producing a superb strike from the angle to put Liverpool two goals ahead.

His influence continued right until the closing stages, when he supplied the assist for Liverpool's third and effectively put the contest beyond Tottenham.

Two goal involvements in one night tell the story, but his general performance was just as encouraging.

Gakpo looked powerful, direct and confident. He was prepared to carry the ball, attack spaces and make things happen rather than simply waiting for the game to come to him.

That is precisely what Liverpool needs from him.

There is still plenty of work to do under Iraola, but Gakpo looks increasingly like one of the players who could benefit most from the change in approach.

Gakpo takes the award, but Giorgi Mamardashvili deserves a special mention.

The Georgian goalkeeper was superb in his shot-stopping and made several excellent saves to keep Liverpool ahead, including a brilliant low stop to his left after the interval and an extraordinary one-handed save later in the contest.

He probably would have been a serious contender for Man of the Match had it not been for the poor positioning that contributed to Tottenham's headed goal.

Even so, his overall performance was another positive.

Liverpool made numerous changes for this EFL Cup tie, brought several younger players into the starting XI and still produced a controlled 3–1 victory over Tottenham.

Alexis Mac Allister was very good, Trey Nyoni looked increasingly comfortable in the deeper midfield role and several of the younger players showed Iraola that they can contribute.

But on a night when Liverpool needed players to step forward, Gakpo was the man who consistently delivered.

The tide has certainly turned for the Dutchman.

A player who looked like he could leave Liverpool in the summer is now beginning to look like one of the most natural fits for Iraola's new football.

That can only be good news for Liverpool.