Fans have spotted what Cody Gakpo does moments before Mo Salah takes a penalty and it happened again vs Spurs

Fans have spotted what Cody Gakpo likes to do before Mohamed Salah takes a penalty – and it happened again in Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final clash against Spurs.

Arne Slot's side will face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on March 16 after goals from Gakpo, Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk sealed their place in the showpiece event at Wembley.

It was another dominating performance from the Premier League leaders, who will hoping to secure their first silverware of the season when they come up against Eddie Howe's men next month.

One of the big talking points from Thursday night's second leg at Anfield was the goal that gave Liverpool the lead on aggregate.

Moments after goalkeeper Antonín Kinsky brought down Darwin Nunez, the prolific Salah netted his 26th goal of the season with one of the best penalties of his career to date, arrowing the ball into the top left corner.

Before the Egyptian netted his spot-kick, fans were quick to praise teammate Cody Gakpo for his quick-thinking.

One fan said: "Gakpo holding onto the ball before the penalty so Salah doesn’t get hounded is what this team is all about," while another commented: "Seen him do it a few times now. Protects the penalty spot too so that no opposition players can scuff it up."

A third wrote: "The way Gakpo always holds the ball for Salah if there is a penalty."

A fourth said: "Gakpo is the penalty ball boy lol," and a fifth added: "That's one of the best penalties I have seen Mo Salah take, it doesn't get any better than that."

Since the arrival of Arne Slot in June, Gakpo has been one of Liverpool's standout performers, registering 16 goals in 36 games across all competitions.

Mohamed Salah converts the penalty to put Liverpool ahead in the tie! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/iWziWxsfZw

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) February 6, 2025

Gakpo is hopeful that Salah will extend his stay at Anfield beyond the summer, when his contract runs out. “It’s very special what we are all witnessing,” he told the club’s website in December.

“The amount of goals he [Salah] scores but the assists he gives as well, the way he plays the game, how he puts other attacking players or midfielders like myself in a position to score and to be dangerous is from a high level.

“I hope for us and for him that he can continue doing that for a long time. We are very lucky to have him and proud that we can be his teammate[s] and try to make him better. And he is trying to make us better as well.”