Fans have spotted what Cody Gakpo likes to do before Mohamed Salah takes a penalty – and it happened again in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Spurs.
Liverpool’s dominant 4-0 win over Tottenham at Anfield secured their place in the Carabao Cup final, where they will face Newcastle United at Wembley on March 16. Goals from Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Virgil van Dijk sealed the Reds’ spot in the final, as Arne Slot’s side continues their pursuit of silverware.
One of the key moments of the match was Salah’s penalty, which gave Liverpool the lead on aggregate. After Spurs goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky fouled Darwin Núñez, Salah stepped up and fired an unstoppable spot-kick into the top left corner—one of his finest penalties to date.
However, fans also took notice of Cody Gakpo’s quick-thinking before the penalty. The Dutch forward held onto the ball to shield Salah from pressure and ensure the penalty spot remained untouched. Supporters praised his awareness, with one fan commenting: “Gakpo holding onto the ball before the penalty so Salah doesn’t get hounded is what this team is all about.” Another added: “He protects the penalty spot too so no opposition players can scuff it up.”
Gakpo has been a standout performer under Arne Slot, scoring 16 goals in 36 games this season. The forward has also expressed his hope that Salah, whose contract expires in the summer, will extend his stay at Anfield. Speaking in December, Gakpo highlighted Salah’s influence on the team:
“The amount of goals he scores, the assists he gives, and the way he helps others—his level is incredible. We are very lucky to have him, and I hope he can continue with us for a long time.”
As Liverpool prepares for the final against Newcastle, the team will look to secure Slot’s first major trophy as manager while continuing their fight on multiple fronts, including the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
