The Holland international will celebrate one year as a Reds player when the January transfer window opens in a matter of months. He penned a five-and-a-half year deal with Liverpool at the end of December from PSV Eindhoven for an initial £35million, possibly rising to £50million.
Jurgen Klopp beat several clubs to the signature of the now-24-year-old with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal said to have had an increasing interest in his services. He arrived in the English top-flight during a difficult time at Liverpool following their poor run last season. Klopp’s side managed to drag themselves over the line in May, securing European football in the process.
This season, the Dutchman has played in a variety of positions including central midfield – where he started during the win over Brentford on the eve of the international break – in a strong start to the campaign.
But Gakpo isn’t fazed by the changes to his game as he insists he relishes the challenges posed by the Liverpool boss. “It was an exciting year in which I made a beautiful journey. And still. I feel very much at home in Liverpool. Football is going well, we live nice. My girlfriend is happy and my family and friends are also experiencing everything. Then you are blessed,” he told AD.
“He immediately said in January: ‘Cody can play good pressing, he can do as a striker what Roberto Firmino did for us for years.’ I am challenged to get out of my comfort zone. I like that.”
Gakpo arrived to the Premier League on the back of an impressive World Cup display with Holland in Qatar. On the international stage he showed his capability of playing on the left-side of the attack, a position he played in Eindhoven, as well as through the middle. His debut months at Anfield saw him predominantly deployed centrally, as an understudy to the departing Reds icon Roberto Firmino, where he scored seven goals in 21 appearances adding three assists.
Cody Gakpo says he feels very much at home with Liverpool – as the Dutchman tipped Jurgen Klopp to get the best out of him.
