Liverpool fans must have recognised the scenario. It was the 54th minute of Netherlands’ World Cup meeting with Sweden, when Cody Gakpo received the ball on the left side of the penalty box and cut inside on to his right foot.
Liverpool’s version – Premier League Gakpo – can often be found lashing the ball into a different time zone from this particular space. But this is World Cup Gakpo, Netherlands Gakpo, lithe and balanced, ruthless and dead-eyed. He steadied himself before putting a piercing shot past Sweden goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt.
