Liverpool went out of the Europa League against Atalanta on Thursday night in disappointing fashion.

In both instances, the forwards were set up by the other member of the front three, Cody Gakpo.

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He was one of three players, along with Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who received a mark of eight in the Liverpool.com post-match ratings.

The top creators of through ball chances in the 2023/24 Premier League (Martin Ødegaard and Lucas Paquetá) have created nine all season, yet Gakpo had two inside 39 minutes of a European quarter-final away from home.

By a through-ball from Gakpo.

This meant he has created five big chances in the space of three games, which has been a rare feat for a Liverpool player in 2023/24.

Players who’ve set up five big chances in total in the Premier League this season include Arsenal’s attacking Gabriels, Jesus and Martinelli, and the highly rated Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United.

Hell, Díaz has only created six big chances in all competitions all season, never mind a quintet of them in under 90 minutes,

The fact Gakpo has burned quite so brightly in creative terms means a cooling off is likely coming.
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