Well, I couldn’t have asked for a better Liverpool connection to this game.
Cody Gakpo has denied Jürgen Klopp a winning start as Germany manager.
The Netherlands rescued a dramatic 1-1 draw against Germany in Amsterdam thanks to a brilliant stoppage-time equaliser from the Liverpool forward.
And I have to admit, as much as I still have enormous affection for Klopp, I absolutely loved seeing Gakpo score that goal.
Sorry, Jürgen!
Germany looked like they were going to give their new manager the perfect start after Felix Nmecha put them ahead in the 32nd minute.
But the Netherlands kept pushing.
And eventually, Gakpo produced the moment.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Ruben van Bommel delivered a superb cross into the box and Gakpo met it with a brilliant volley to send the ball beyond Marc-André ter Stegen.
1-1.
Cue absolute chaos inside the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Gakpo does it against his former manager
There was something particularly satisfying about this from a Liverpool perspective.
Gakpo was signed by Klopp during his time at Liverpool and developed into an increasingly important member of the squad.
Now, in Klopp’s very first competitive game in charge of Germany, it was Gakpo who stopped him from winning.
Football really does have a funny way of writing its own stories.
And Gakpo’s finish was worthy of the occasion.
It wasn’t a scrappy equaliser.
It was a proper striker’s finish, meeting Van Bommel’s delivery perfectly and giving the Netherlands something to celebrate right at the death.
Van Dijk thought he’d scored too
There was another huge Liverpool connection earlier in the game.
Virgil van Dijk thought he had given the Netherlands the lead.
The Liverpool captain headed home from a corner in the 13th minute, but VAR intervened and the goal was eventually ruled out after Brian Brobbey was adjudged to have impeded Germany goalkeeper ter Stegen.
So Liverpool actually had two players at the centre of the Netherlands’ biggest moments.
One goal disallowed.
One goal that stood.
And that one from Gakpo was the one that mattered.
A fascinating night for Klopp
For Klopp, it wasn’t quite the dream return to the dugout.
Germany had been in front for more than an hour and were just minutes away from taking all three points.
But the new Germany boss will know there were positives to take.
This was his first competitive match in charge, and Germany were playing away against the Netherlands in a fixture involving another new manager, Xavi, making his debut for the Dutch.
It was always going to be a fascinating night.
And from a Liverpool perspective, I was watching Klopp closely.
I wanted to see how he approached his first game back in management.
I wanted to see how his Germany side looked.
But most of all, I wanted to see the Liverpool players involved.
Van Dijk was leading the Netherlands again.
Gakpo was causing problems.
Gravenberch also started for the Dutch.
And Frimpong was part of the Netherlands squad.
There was plenty for Liverpool supporters to watch.
Gakpo continues to impress
And once again, Gakpo has reminded us why I rate him so highly.
I’ve already written about how impressed I’ve been with him for Liverpool this season.
His determination in the build-up to Isak’s winner at Bournemouth was crucial, and he has continued to look like one of Liverpool’s most dangerous attacking players.
Now he’s gone away with the Netherlands and scored a stunning late equaliser against Germany.
That’s exactly what you want from your attacking players.
Confidence.
Goals.
Big moments.
And the ability to produce something when the team needs it most.
Sorry Jürgen, but I’ll take that!
I’ll always have a huge amount of respect for Klopp.
He gave Liverpool supporters some of the greatest moments we’ve ever experienced.
But tonight?
I’m taking the Gakpo goal.
Klopp can wait for his first Germany win.
Gakpo scoring in the 92nd minute to rescue the Netherlands against his former Liverpool manager is just too good.
And when you’re watching a Liverpool player score a last-minute equaliser against one of the club’s greatest-ever managers, you can’t help but smile.
Well done, Cody.
And sorry, Jürgen…
You’ll have to wait a little longer for that first Germany victory.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
Leave a Reply