Cody Gakpo Delivers Decisive Double as Liverpool Edge Past Athletic Club 3-2 at Anfield

Gakpo Shines at Anfield as Liverpool Defeat Athletic Club in Five-Goal Thriller

Liverpool’s preparations for the 2025-26 season continued in entertaining fashion as Arne Slot’s side claimed a thrilling 3-2 win over Athletic Club on Monday evening.

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A brace from Netherlands forward Cody Gakpo and an early Mohamed Salah finish proved enough to see off the La Liga visitors, who twice clawed their way back into the contest in front of nearly 60,000 supporters.

Anfield had barely caught its breath from the earlier fixture, a different XI had defeated the same opponents earlier in the day, before Salah gave the home crowd another reason to cheer.

In the 17th minute, Hugo Ekitike, sharp and inventive on his unofficial home debut, danced past Daniel Vivian and fired in a low cross. Salah met it cleanly in stride, guiding it into the net for the opening goal.

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But the visitors responded with resilience. Oihan Sancet equalised near the half-hour mark, capitalising on a second-ball opportunity following a deep free-kick. His effort from 10 yards restored parity after a clever layoff from Vivian.

Despite Liverpool enjoying the better of the first-half chances, with Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai both drawing saves from goalkeeper Unai Simon, it was Gakpo who would ultimately shape the night.

The Dutchman reasserted Liverpool’s dominance early in the second half, reacting quickest after Ryan Gravenberch’s effort was parried. Gakpo pounced, sliding the rebound home with a predatory finish from close range.

Yet the lead wouldn't last. A deflected header from Maroan Sannadi, off Gakpo, no less, made it 2-2 from a corner, leaving Giorgi Mamardashvili wrong-footed. It was an unfortunate moment for Gakpo, but the forward responded in style.

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With 67 minutes gone, he latched onto a loose ball just outside the box and rifled a low strike across goal that beat Simon and nestled inside the far post. It was a confident finish, and one that ultimately decided the contest.