Jurgen Klopp immediately saw Cody Gakpo as a player capable of replacing Roberto Firmino up front, according to Cody Gakpo.
The Dutchman joined the Reds for £35 million from PSV Eindhoven last January, bringing with him a reputation as a left-winger with a strong track record of supplying goals and assists in the Eredivisie and for the Netherlands.
Gakpo joined Liverpool following an impressive 2022 winter World Cup performance in which he scored three goals as the Netherlands advanced to the competition’s quarterfinals in Qatar.
Despite his reputation as a winger, the 24-year-old had previously played for the national team as a centre-forward, a position he was immediately asked to play upon his arrival at Anfield.
With Darwin Nunez struggling in his first season with the Reds and Roberto Firmino’s influence waning, Klopp saw Gakpo as someone capable of leading the line despite his relative inexperience.
“[Klopp] immediately said in January: ‘Cody can press well, he can do as a striker what Roberto Firmino did for us for years,'” the forward told Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. I’m being pushed to step outside of my comfort zone. That appeals to me.”
Gakpo has quickly settled at Anfield, and despite joining a struggling Liverpool team last season, the Dutch attacker has 11 goals and four assists for the Reds this season. The former PSV player quickly won over Klopp, his teammates, and the club’s fans, and has excelled in English football.
“It’s been an exciting year with a beautiful journey.” And I’m still working on it.
“I feel right at home in Liverpool.” Football is going well, and we live in a nice neighborhood. My girlfriend is overjoyed, and my family and friends are as well. We are fortunate.”
Gakpo has played less frequently this season due to Nunez’s strong play, but he has still contributed five goals in 14 games this season.
Gakpo could be given a start against Manchester City in Saturday’s early kick-off following the international break, with Nunez playing in the early hours of Wednesday morning with Uruguay before a long flight back from South America.
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