Classy Cody can help get the Reds ‘train’ back on track – as Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp hails new signing Gakpo ahead of his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Wolves
Jurgen Klopp is ready to launch Cody Gakpo‘s Liverpool career safe in the knowledge that he has signed a professional with an impeccable attitude.
Gakpo has impressed his new team-mates in training this week and he will be involved in Saturday night’s FA Cup third-round tie against Wolves, with Klopp preparing to field a strong team as Liverpool begin their defence of the trophy they won last May.
Liverpool came in late to win the race to sign Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for £43million, trumping Manchester United, and Klopp gave a candid insight into why the Netherlands international chose to move to Merseyside rather than link up with Erik ten Hag.
Jurgen Klopp is set to launch Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool career safe in the knowledge he is a star
The new £43million arrival from PSV Eindhoven (pictured) has impressed in training this week and is set to make his debut when the Reds face Wolves at Anfield in the FA Cup on Saturday
In recent seasons, Klopp has been able to tell new January signings — such as Virgil van Dijk and Luis Diaz — that Liverpool were on course to qualify for the Champions League but that was not part of the sales pitch this time. That, however, did not prove a hurdle in negotiations.
‘There were easier moments to join Liverpool,’ said Klopp, who confirmed the hamstrung Van Dijk will be missing for more than a month. ‘Last year, we were not qualified for the Champions League already but it looked like it would happen.
‘This year, we cannot guarantee that but Cody never asked. From time-to-time players ask, ‘Do you think you can make the Champions League?’ but he can read the table himself, so he knew it would be a tight decision.
‘But what I like about this is he’s obviously a guy who doesn’t want to jump on a running train, he wants to push the train. I like that a lot. Good for him, as well, because it always helps in life if you are a little bit like that. That’s how it is.’
And German boss Klopp opened up on exactly how instrumental defender Virgil van Dijk (right) was in persuading his Holland international…