Cody Gakpo is up and running for Liverpool – when does he become a viable Dream Team option?
BACK-TO-BACK wins over Everton and Newcastle have given Liverpool reason to be hopeful of a strong finish to the season.
If the Reds are able to convert this upturn into a prolonged spell of form the likes of which fans have become accustomed to under Jurgen Klopp then a top-four finish may yet be achievable.
In terms of trophy possibilities, the Champions League remains their only avenue and tonight's meeting with European specialists Real Madrid will give an indication of how that pursuit may play out.
If Liverpool are able to go deep in Europe once again then there will surely be a bounty of Dream Team points on offer.
One particularly positive development in the last fortnight has been the improvement of Cody Gakpo (£3.6m).
The Dutchman's first few appearances following his January transfer were underwhelming at best but two goals in his last two outings suggest he's finding his feet at Anfield.
Where before he was wasteful and disconnected, his recent goals showed he may have necessary predatory instincts to thrive on Merseyside.
Playing centrally with Darwin Nunez (£4.9m) and Mohamed Salah (£8m) either side of him, Gakpo was on hand to score a poacher's tap-in against Toffees and at St James' Park he anticipated his Egyptian team-mate's brilliant pass before anyone else on the pitch to convert from close range again.
The 23-year-old has also earned 7+ rating in each of his last three games, meaning he's banked 19 points across the last three Game Weeks.
It goes without saying that a centre-forward representing Klopp's Liverpool even remotely close to their best will get plenty of chances so Dream Team gaffers might start to consider Gakpo's viability.
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He impressed in Qatar for Netherlands and produced plenty of points in Dream Team World Cup before the Oranje were eliminated.
And his record of nine goals and 12 assists in 14 Eredivisie appearances for PSV prior to his switch this season speaks for itself.
It may be that this article is a tad premature; two games is a small sample size and defeat to Los Blancos this evening would be a reality check for a team that have desperately struggled for rhythm in 2022/23.
However, experienced Dream Team bosses will know just how many points Klopp's side are capable of producing when in full flow so it's a situation worth monitoring closely.
Salah is the obvious option to back when hunting Liverpool points but he comes at a mighty cost - at less than half the price, Gakpo is more feasible for those with tight budgetary constraints.
Just something to keep an eye on...