Cody Gakpo has dismissed suggestions he has a point to prove after coming close to leaving Liverpool during the summer. The forward was first courted by Tottenham Hotspur and then edged close to a £85million move to Manchester City before the Reds compelled the Netherlands international to stay put after a failure to recruit a new right winger.
Gakpo has subsequently been one of the best players during the early months of new head coach Andoni Iraola's tenure, registering three goals and five assists in 10 appearances. He is likely to feature again when Liverpool take on Fenerbahce in the Champions League in Istanbul on Wednesday evening.
No point to prove
Speaking ahead of the game, the 27-year-old is adamant his approach hasn't been changed by events ahead of deadline day.
"Do I have a point to prove? No, not really," said Gakpo. "My mindset has stayed the same like it always has been. I try to perform. But it was quite a hectic summer regarding a lot of topics. I just try to enjoy football and enjoy life."
When asked about details of the conversation with Liverpool when it was decided he was staying, Gakpo responded: "It wasn't much of a discussion was it? The decision was made and that was it."
Frustrating Arsenal defeat
Liverpool go into the game on the back of a controversial 1-0 Premier League loss at home to Arsenal in which Alexander Isak had what appeared a clear penalty claim dismissed when having his shirt pulled by Jurrien Timber as he attempted to head in a Bradley Barcola cross.
"It can be frustrating at times, but at the end it's the referee's decision," said Gakpo. "We as a team play pretty fair and maybe we should dive some more like the gaffer said! But no, like I said we play pretty fair.
"You could have given a penalty or a foul but they decided not to and we have to live with that decision, and that's it.
"Arsenal are a very good team, they showed that in phases of the game. We are a team in progress, we are growing in certain points and certain aspects. We can be close if we have a very good day but we are working on the consistency, to stay every game, every minute a top team."
European form
While Liverpool's new-look attack has sparkled in the Champions League with 12 goals in three games - including a 6-3 win at LASK and a 4-3 home triumph over Villarreal - the Reds have scored only 11 times in their opening nine Premier League matches.
Asked why Iraola's side have been so proficient in Europe, Gakpo said: "That's a good question, it depends how you look at it. Those two games we scored some goals but we also conceded a good amount.
"The Champions League is always something special and special things can happen. And that happened in those two games. But I don't want to say this league suits us more than the Premier League though.
"We can see there is a lot of potential (in the forward line), everybody has shown it individually at times, either at the club or another club.
"Bradley (Barcola) obviously just came, and showed brilliance at PSG. But we have to know each other very well and I think from that moment on it can only be better than it is already now. Only good things and positive things we can look forward to."
Of Wednesday's game in the volatile Chobani Stadium, Gakpo added: "It will be very, very hostile and a very great atmosphere. We played last year also two games in Turkey and the environment was massive.
"Some players like it and I like to play in such an environment. I am looking forward to it, and hopefully it will be a good atmosphere."
