Cody Gakpo increased his appeal with three goals in five games at the World Cup, but why did Liverpool want to sign the 23-year-old striker and where will he play?
They have agreed a deal to sign the Netherlands international for a fee of between £35m and £45m from PSV Eindhoven, beating rivals Manchester United to his signature.
Liverpool have been looking to bring in another attacking player after long-term injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota in a bid to finish in the top four after a patchy start to the season.
So what will he bring to Jurgen Klopp’s side and where will he fit into his front line alongside Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez? Sky Sports gives you the answers…
Gakpo has all the attributes to reach the top
Image: Cody Gakpo is first in goals and assists in the Eredivisie this season
Sky Sports’ Peter Smith:
During the World Cup, Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal said that “Cody Gakpo has what it takes to become a star” and the striker certainly seems to be on the fast track to at the top of the game after backing up his brilliant Eredivisie form in Qatar. .
A goal in each of the group stage games – one with his head, one with his left foot and another with his right foot – was testament to his rapid improvement in the game in the final third, the hunger for the big stage and versatility. His standout performances for Van Gaal were as a centre-forward or number 10. At PSV he has shone as a left-back, cutting inside.
But these traits didn’t come about by chance: Gakpo is meticulous about his development, even hiring a personal tactics coach to analyze his game. His ever-increasing goals and assists per 90 minutes stats for his club show that the extra duties are paying off.
That mentality will have impressed his suitors as much as his goals and assists tally. At 23 years old, Gakpo is already at a high level, but he is determined to improve even more. This makes it an attractive investment.
Pass and drive running down the side; power and precision in his shot; creativity as a creator of maximum opportunity in the Eredivisie; skill and speed with his dribbling; aerial threat, as he showed against Senegal… Gakpo has all the attributes a modern striker requires and after his perfect hat-trick at the World Cup he had clubs all over Europe vying for his signing before Liverpool won the race.
Why signing Gakpo makes sense for Liverpool
Sky Sports’ Joe Shread:
Gakpo’s versatility, professionalism and performance on the pitch clearly explain why Liverpool have decided to make a move for PSV and the Netherlands.
However, there are other elements that enter the equation. It’s tempting to believe that Liverpool are signing Gakpo to hurt Manchester United, given their rivals’ interest in the 23-year-old, but injuries within Jurgen Klopp’s squad are likely to be far more important.
Luis Diaz suffered a setback in his return from a knee injury earlier this month, with Klopp describing the news as a “proper blow in the mouth”.
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The Colombian winger has not played since October 9 and there is no official timetable for his return, while Diogo Jota is expected to be sidelined until February with a calf injury. Roberto Firmino is also out until early next month with an injury of his own.
As a result, Liverpool’s forward options are reduced to Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made a rare start in the front three during the 3-1 win at Aston Villa on Christmas Day, while Fabio Carvalho, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones – who is also currently injured – may also line up. se as forwards.
With Liverpool looking to make up ground in the race for the Premier League’s top four, as well as competing in the FA Cup and Champions League, the need to add to Klopp’s forward options amid so many injuries was clear.
Image: Liverpool beat Aston Villa 3-1 on their return to the Premier League
Liverpool and their manager may also have assessed the impressive impact Diaz had following his arrival from Porto in the previous January window and decided that Gakpo’s potential to do something similar was too great to ignore- the
“Don’t expect miracles immediately from these types of players,” Klopp told Sky Sports in March, two months after Diaz signed. “But it’s not far from doing just that.”
It may be too much to ask for miracles, but Gakpo’s performances for both PSV and the Netherlands suggest he could give Liverpool a crucial boost in the second half of the season.
“Gakpo gives Liverpool variety in attack”
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Stephen Warnock believes Liverpool will have more options in attack following the signing of Cody Gakpo.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock told Sky Sports:
“The big question Liverpool fans will be asking is, ‘Is this a position we need to strengthen?’
“They probably think we need central midfielders and there has been a lot of talk about Enzo Fernandez and Jude Bellingham in recent weeks as well as Sofyan Amrabat.
“But now when you think about the injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, it’s almost pushed them into a position where goals win games and they’ve realized they need it.
“With the likes of Stefan Bajcetic in the squad and players returning from injury in the shape of Arthur Melo, the club believes they have enough in midfield to cover.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they did something more in midfield, but Gakpo is an exciting signing. His stats in the Eredivisie are outstanding, but the big question now is whether he can do it in the Premier League and under pressure to play for Liverpool.
“The deal allows Liverpool to alternate where to play him and Darwin Núñez. They can both play on the left and they can also play in the middle. It gives Liverpool that option. It gives them variety.”
When was Gakpo able to make his Liverpool debut?
Monday, January 2 at 5:00 p.m. Opening at 5:30 p.m
The transfer window opens on Sunday January 1 for clubs in England and Scotland and if all the necessary paperwork is completed, Gakpo could be in line for his Liverpool debut on January 2, live on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports at Brentford.
Liverpool then host Wolves in the FA Cup third round on Saturday 7 January before returning to league action the following weekend at Brighton on Saturday 14 January.