Ryan Gravenberch, Darwin Nunez respond as Cody Gakpo sends Liverpool ‘end’ message
Cody Gakpo has spoken out after Liverpool were eliminated from the Champions League, with responses coming in from a number of his teammates.
Arne Slot‘s side held a 1-0 advantage over PSG going into Tuesday night’s (11 March) round of 16 second leg, after a dramatic win for Liverpool in Paris last week.
Gakpo himself had missed that game due to injury, but returned to action for the second leg, coming off the bench to play the final 20 minutes of extra time.
Ousmane Dembele’s goal in the 12th minute of the game had levelled things up for PSG, and with neither side able to find a winner, the tie would go to penalties.
The French champions won the shootout 4-1, with Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones both missing their spot kicks for Liverpool.
Cody Gakpo reflects on Champions League elimination
With that defeat on penalties, Gakpo and his side have seen their hopes for European success ended for another year.
Even so, the Dutchman still feels his side can take a decent amount of pride from the efforts they have produced on the continent this season.
Taking to Instagram to reflect on that loss, the Liverpool attacker wrote: “Disappointed with the result, but proud of the team. Our UCL journey ends here, but there’s still plenty left to fight for – eyes on the trophy.”
In response, a number of his teammates including Nunez, Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota, Alexis Mac Allister, Harvey Elliott, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson all liked the post.
Meanwhile, Gravenberch would also add a comment in the form of a loveheart emoji, in support of his fellow Dutchman.
Liverpool can still have a successful season
Football Insider Verdict
Having finished top of the league phase, Arne Slot’s side were among the favourites to win this competition.
As a result, it will be hugely frustrating for Liverpool to have been knocked out in the very next phase of of the tournament.
| Liverpool last five games | Result |
| Man City (A) | Won 2-0 |
| Newcastle (H) | Won 2-0 |
| PSG (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Southampton (H) | Won 3-1 |
| PSG (H) | Lost 1-0 (1-1 on aggregate, lost 4-1 on penalties) |
Indeed, they will surely be wondering how a PSG side who performed so well over two legs against them, only just scraped into the knockout stages of the Champions League earlier this season.
But while that will only add to the disappointment, there is still plenty of time and opportunity for them to put things right.
Liverpool will face Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday (16 March) meaning silverware could be on the horizon already.
Beyond that, they have already run away with the Premier League title race, and are surely going to lift that trophy for just the second time, especially no they do not have the distraction of Europe.
If they can claim those two titles, then you feel this will still be mission accomplished for Slot in his first season in charge, especially with how much emphasis is placed on the Premier League in particular.