Daniel Sturridge names TWO things 24-year-old Liverpool star needs to thrive next season

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has revealed two things that Cody Gakpo needs to thrive at Anfield next season after his recent purple patch of form. 

The Reds returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory over Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, with Liverpool now guaranteed to finish no lower than third in the Premier League this season with two games to play.

A lack of pressure certainly helped Liverpool play with the handbrake off in Jurgen Klopp's penultimate home game, with Gakpo among the players starring in an excellent attacking display.

The Dutchman scored and assisted during the victory over Spurs and dazzled drifting between central areas and the left-hand side of Liverpool's attack.

Despite Liverpool's recent slump, Gakpo has been in impressive form for some time now, even if he hasn't always had the goals and assists to show for it.

DANIEL STURRIDGE'S ADVICE TO CODY GAKPO

Speaking on Sky Sports after Sunday's match, former Liverpool striker Sturridge revealed two things that Gakpo needs to reach the next level in English football - confidence and a run of matches for the Reds.

"I don't know if he [Gakpo] is an out-and-out number nine anyway," said Sturridge. "Like I said before, it's more about the role, what the manager wants.

"Him and Darwin [Nunez] are very different, so if you play one of them in a tactical system it's because you're trying to win in a certain way.

"Since [the 2022 World Cup], he's come to Liverpool and shown flashes. But as an attacker, having confidence is what enables you to play at a level that maybe people don't expect you can do, and I think he needs confidence."

Sturridge added: "It's about having a run of games consistently, having the trust of your teammates, all of those things matter.

"I think sometimes when you're in and out [of the team], and you might have a little injury here or there and you can't get the run going, I think for attackers [that's so difficult]."

Gakpo has shown plenty of glimpses of his quality for the Reds and his recent run of form shows why Liverpool must keep faith in the former PSV winger.

With Arne Slot coming in this summer, Gakpo will be hoping that the Dutch connection proves fruitful heading into the 2024/25 campaign.