Cody Gakpo is on his way to joining Liverpool
On Boxing Day, it was announced that a deal had been made to bring Gakpo to Anfield, sending fans into a frenzy after the Reds landed the Eredivisie’s best young prospect.
This is a historic signing for a variety of reasons, but perhaps most poignantly, it is Liverpool’s first signing since Julian Ward announced his departure from Anfield at the end of the season.
Following Ward’s departure, the Reds are expected to take a new path, and this transaction could reveal a lot about the team’s future structure.
Indeed, while many have indicated that Jurgen Klopp will be leading the Reds’ recruitment effort from now on, the signing of Gakpo shows that another voice – Pep Lijnders’ – will be heard on this front.
Lijnders, of course, is a Dutchman who is well-versed in Gakpo.
Indeed, one Dutch commentator, Harry Kraay, said last month that he was told directly by Lijnders that Gakpo was the missing piece of the Liverpool puzzle.
“Lijnders has said, ‘Gakpo is our missing connection,'” Kraay explained. “At Liverpool, he is taken very seriously, and he is one of the few people Klopp listens to.”
The 39-year-old was also instrumental in bringing Luis Diaz to Liverpool, as described in his book, and it appears that he also played a role in bringing Gakpo to Anfield.
The Assistant Manager certainly has considerable power on Merseyside, and if Ward departs, he may serve as a temporary replacement for the Sporting Director. After all, he knows how to spot a player and appears to have Klopp’s faith.
Lijnders could be crucial if Liverpool’s recruitment system evolves following Ward’s departure.
Other News
Darwin Nunez told Jurgen Klopp about his future at Liverpool after signing Cody Gakpo.
Darwin Nunez cost Liverpool £64 million in the summer, but he is yet to cement his spot, with Cody Gakpo set to come from PSV for £44.3 million – after the Reds outbid Manchester United
Darwin Nunez has been dubbed “unstoppable” by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, despite the club’s ambitions to bring in a new striker.
After a fantastic World Cup, Dutch forward Cody Gakpo is set to arrive in England to finalize a transfer for up to £44.3 million with PSV Eindhoven. With Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota out for extended periods, he will strengthen Liverpool’s offensive options.
In their absence, Liverpool’s Boxing Day 3-1 triumph against Aston Villa featured Uruguayan summer signing Nunez, who cost £64 million from Benfica. Klopp, though, believes the 23-year-old attacker, who has nine goals in 20 appearances, is still a tremendous threat and will come good.
The Reds’ manager assessed: “When we hold the ball and pass it at the proper time, he’s unstoppable; no defender can really catch up in terms of speed.
“I’ve heard all the stories, and they’re all fine, but we’re fully calm, and everything will be alright. He played a terrific game, and we won 3-1, which is all that matters.
“I haven’t worked since yesterday, although I’ve had some strikers around. I understand that early scoring is unimportant. There are far more essential things to worry about. All you have to do is remain cool.”
Nunez squandered two good chances in the first half before dragging wide after the break at Villa Park. But he got his second assist of the season late in the game after Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk had already scored.
Bajcetic, a defensive midfielder for Villa, got the ball around goalkeeper Robin Olsen and blasted past Tyrone Mings on the line. He became the youngest Liverpool player to score as a substitute in the Premier League since Michael Owen against Tottenham Hotspur in November 1997, at the age of 18 years and 65 days.
The midfielder has had a breakout season, making his eighth appearance for Klopp’s side after impressing in the club’s World Cup camp in Dubai.
“I’ve been here for the whole season working and trying to learn and watch,” Bajcetic, who signed from Celta Vigo in February 2021, stated.
“Dubai was a great experience for me because I got to play in two games and gain experience and confidence. I’m hoping to obtain more minutes and continue working hard and learning.”
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