Iraola hails Gakpo’s dazzling start as Liverpool down Ipswich: “No doubt about his quality” | OneFootball

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has said he has no doubt about Cody Gakpo's quality after the forward's fine start to the season.

Gakpo set up both goals for Alexander Isak as Liverpool earned a 2-0 win at Ipswich Town on Friday evening. The Dutchman fizzed a pass into Isak for the opener after six minutes, before an outstanding outside-of-the-boot assist freed the Swedish striker for the second moments later.

The 27-year-old has a goal and three assists from threePremier League games this season, having looked likely to leave Liverpool in the summer window.

The Reds held talks with Manchester City over an £85m deal for Gakpo, but blocked the move after failing to find a replacement.

Iraola said he is delighted that Gakpo has remained at Anfield and believes the versatile forward can have a big impact on the club's campaign.

Iraola delighted Gakpo stayed after Man City talks, lauds forward’s creativity in 2-0 Ipswich win

"I have no doubt with Cody. He has been very good all the pre-season, has started very well this season, producing numbers," Iraola said at hispost-match press conference.

"Today again, after the two assists, he finishes [the game at] No.9 to help us close the game. I think it's good to have Cody because he can play in the three positions up top and to have him in this place for this beginning of the season is good.

"Cody knows how much we value him, I think there is no doubt. I rate him very highly. I will demand from him, obviously, because there is also a strong competition for minutes because we have good players in those positions and it's a matter of pushing each other.

"With Bradley, with Rio [Ngumoha], with Victor [Munoz], it's a matter that sometimes they will start, sometimes they come from the bench, sometimes they will not play. But this competition, I think is going to be good for all of them.