‘A match-winner’: Jermain Defoe lauds ‘amazing’ Liverpool star who changes the game for Arne Slot

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Liverpool have brought in some fantastic talent this summer, but they also have others from previous windows who have looked incredible.This season has brought a mixed set of performances for the Reds, with the early half producing winning results but in arguably poor performances, and this recent run has exposed how poorly Arne Slot’s side have played.While they had been on their nightmare run of four straight defeats in all competitions, it has now ended with a 5-1 thumping of Eintracht Frankfurt. Those players who have delivered this season for Liverpool, though, have proved why they should really be better than they have been, with stars like Dominik Szoboszlai and Hugo Ekitike showing their importance to the team.One star who has had a good season and been a consistent force in the side is Cody Gakpo, who seems to be underrated for what he, as a player, brings to the team, including his goal contributions.Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesJermain Defoe speaks about how much he loves Cody GakpoThe Dutchman has seven goal contributions across all competitions for Slot’s side and has been given a starting position on the left wing for the majority of games this season because of his reliability.He is not a player that fans will scream and shout about because, in a sense, he does his job well enough without making many eyebrow-raising mistakes.READ MORE: Liverpool set for crunch contract talks with Ibrahima Konate as soft deadline is setThe tide does now seem to be turning among pundits on how important he is to the team, and Jermain Defoe has come out to talk about how much he loves the player in this Liverpool setup.Speaking to Premier League Productions’ Team Talks, the former Tottenham Hotspur striker explained that he feels the 26-year-old is someone that is ‘amazing’ for the team.Defoe said: “I mean the recruitment and the signings, you know, Gakpo, I love Gakpo.

I think that he’s, you know, he’s a match-winner and he’s an amazing player.”“Isak has come to the building for a lot of money. Probably expects to play but he’s not up to speed.

Ekitike for me is the best signing and he should play. I think he’s got like seven goals.”Cody Gakpo needs more love from Liverpool fansThere are fair criticisms of Gakpo’s style of play, mainly that he prefers to cut inside constantly, but it does not mean he should receive less adulation from fans because of it.He is one of the only players delivering in terms of contributions consistently who starts games and gives his all every 90 minutes.Liverpool fans should be more appreciative of his efforts this season, especially because the team are not as in form as everyone had expected.