With Liverpool starting Mohamed Salah on the bench as they faced Brighton in the Carabao Cup, all eyes were on who could step up.
And it was Cody Gakpo to make the most of the situation with a stunning double to help the Reds prevail 3-2 winners at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday night.
Salah, who came on from the bench in the second half, has yet to sign a new contract at Liverpool and could leave for nothing when it expires at the end of the season.
There has been interest from Saudi Arabia while Real Madrid and Barcelona have long been keeping tabs on the Egypt international.
Cody Gakpo scored twice for Liverpool against Brighton
Reuters
It means that there is a very worrying scenario for Liverpool emerging that could see them lose their talismanic forward without any cash to replace him.
If so, Arne Slot might have to look inwards for someone to fill his boots – and that man could be Gakpo.
The Netherlands international has started just twice in the Premier League this season and is yet to score in the division – or in the Champions League.
But his brilliant double against Brighton was a timely reminder for the 25-year-old to reassert himself as a strong forward option.
Many believed Slot would get the best out of Gakpo, who had a fine European Championship tournament with the Netherlands where he finished joint-top goalscorer with three.
It has yet to truly click for the striker but Wednesday night on the south coast might be the awakening he has needed.
And with Liverpool desperate to find someone to step out from Salah’s shadow, Gakpo has the tools to make himself a success at Anfield.
His first strike came seconds into the second half, cutting inside off the left flank before hitting a jaw-dropping effort.
Cody Gakpo scored his first goals of the season
Reuters
On the hour-mark, Gakpo came alive again after an error from Tariq Lamptey saw him race through on goal for his second of the night.
A Liverpool gaffe late into the contest saw Simon Adingra reduce the deficit before Luis Diaz made it 3-1.
Lamptey made up for his mistake with a goal of his own but it was not enough to overturn Liverpool’s lead, who are through to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Mohamed Salah could leave at the end of the season
Reuters
Liverpool have made an excellent start to the season after Slot arrived in the summer to replace Jurgen Klopp.
The Dutchman has lost just once – a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest – and his side are firmly in the title race.
But with victory in the Carabao Cup, they will hope they can go on and win multiple trophies this season.