Andoni Iraola insists he never had any doubts about starting Cody Gakpo against Ipswich Town after Liverpool blocked the forward from joining Manchester City before the end of the transfer window.
The Dutchman had been tipped to move on after the Reds signed Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, having been linked with an exit all summer long. But Liverpool ultimately decided to retain his services despite City coming forward with an £80m offer.
Having returned a goal and an assist in the Reds' first two matches of the season, Gakpo continued that form with a stunning brace of assists against Ipswich as Liverpool clinched their first win under Iraola.
Alexander Isak reacts to Liverpool chant as £125m striker finally kickstarts Anfield career
And despite Gakpo being touted to leave throughout the summer, Iraola insists the Dutchman is aware just how much his new head coach rates him.
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"I had no doubt with Cody," he said. "He has been very good, all of pre-season. He has started very well this season, producing numbers.
"I think Cody knows how much we value him. I think there is no doubt. I rate him very highly.
"He has strong competition for minutes because we have good players in those positions, and it is a matter of pushing each other. With Bradley, with Rio, with Victor.
"Sometimes they will start, sometimes they will come from the bench, sometimes they will not play. But I this competition is going to be good for our game.
"Today, after two assists, he finished as number nine to help us close the game. I think it is good to have Cody because he can play in the three positions up top.
"And to have him in this place for the beginning of the season is good."
Gakpo twice set up Alexander Isak in Liverpool's 2-0 win as the Swede took his tally to the season for three goals – matching his overall Premier League total from a heavily-disrupted first season on Merseyside.
And Iraola is confident that the goals will continue to flow for the striker this season, though he insisted that is not his primary demand of the £125m man.
"With Alex, if he is fit, if he is available, if he is in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers," he said. "My demands with Alex will not be about the goals, probably.
