Cody Gakpo made sure to have his say in the match which sealed Liverpool’s 20th Premier League title. He was one of four players to find the net, but could now face punishment from the FA.
It was only fitting that Gakpo got on the score-sheet. Mohamed Salah was the man that Anfield was truly willing to notch, which he eventually did, but the Dutchman has been the next-biggest source of goals in all competitions this season.
He has been a man transformed under compatriot Arne Slot, thriving after being restored to the left wing. And in a sign of a man who is confident of having cause to celebrate, Gakpo wore a top underneath his jersey in preparation.
“I belong to Jesus,” read his white vest. It was reminiscent of Kaka in 2007 — not esepcially happy memories for Liverpool, admittedly, given that AC Milan won the Champions League final that year, but an iconic image nonetheless.
Gakpo is a devout Christian, a faith he shares with goalkeeper Alisson within the Anfield dressing room. But the message he displayed on the day the title was won could land him in hot water with the FA, according to the Telegraph.
First and foremost, it’s worth pointing out that the FA will not be assessing the specific content of the message. Its regulations ban all religious slogans.
Likewise, it allows some degree of religious expression regardless of the beliefs involved. Salah will often fall to the ground in prayer after scoring, so as to honor his Muslim faith, while Christian players will often make the sign of the cross and point to the sky.
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
But the FA takes a dim view of any actual slogans. Marc Guehi faced two reprimands earlier this season for writing “I love Jesus” and “Jesus loves you” on his rainbow captain’s armband.
That, of course, could be seen as potentially more inflammatory, given the context of the Rainbow Laces campaign and Guehi’s choice of timing to express his religious faith.
Given that the Crystal Palace defender only received warnings, Gakpo can surely not expect anything more severe.
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But as long as the rules are applied consistently, there cannot be too many complaints. The FA does not want to put itself in a position where it is the arbiter of what consistutes acceptable religious expression, so a blanket ban is the easiest way to go — provided it is applied across the board.
For now, Gakpo will just have to wait and see what action, if any, the FA chooses to take.
Liverpool is next in action on Sunday against Chelsea, where it could receive its first guard of honor since claiming the title.
