Cody Gakpo’s late goal, scored with a smart swiveling finish that gave Alphonse Areola no chance, showcased the Dutch international’s clinical finishing ability. The technique required to receive the ball with his back partially to goal, rotate quickly, and strike accurately demonstrated quality that Liverpool need more consistently from their attacking players.
The swivel finish is a valuable tool for forwards operating in congested penalty areas. It allows players to create shooting angles quickly without needing extensive space to set themselves. Gakpo’s execution was excellent—receiving the ball, rotating his body efficiently, and striking through the ball with precision and power.
The goal arrived after Lucas Paquetá’s dismissal had reduced West Ham to ten men, but it still required quality execution. Gakpo could have rushed his shot or failed to get his body position correct, resulting in a weak effort easily saved. Instead, he demonstrated composure under pressure, taking the extra moment to set himself properly before finishing.
For Gakpo, the goal represented an important contribution after a season of inconsistency. He has shown flashes of quality without establishing himself as an automatic starter under Arne Slot. His involvement in both goals—assisting Isak’s opener and scoring the second himself—demonstrated the impact he can have when confidence and decision-making align properly.
Liverpool need Gakpo to produce these moments more regularly. His technical quality is evident, but consistency has been lacking. The performance against West Ham, combining creative build-up play with clinical finishing, showed what he’s capable of when fully engaged. As Liverpool continue adapting to their new tactical system, having multiple players capable of scoring important goals becomes increasingly valuable. Gakpo’s swivel finish proved he possesses that ability when circumstances allow.
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