Klopp Reveals How Van Dijk Helped Liverpool Sign Gakpo

Virgil van Dijk, the captain of the Netherlands, reportedly played a part in Cody Gakpo’s acquisition, according to Jurgen Klopp, who felt that Liverpool’s allure was the main attraction.

In a deal of around 40–50 million euros, the Reds have agreed to sign the Dutch forward from PSV Eindhoven.

At the recent World Cup in Qatar, Gakpo, 23, was a standout performer, scoring three goals to help the Netherlands advance to the quarterfinals.

“We didn’t need Virgil to convince him,” said Klopp.

“Virgil was involved from a specific moment on, but we didn’t talk to him because there was no reason for it when I was allowed to speak to him.

“Some of these nice moments when you are the manager of Liverpool and you think you have to convince someone, but when you speak to them you realize the door is wide open – that this is more or less a home run.”

File photo of Cody Gakpo and Virgil van Dijk in the colours of the Netherlands.

Gakpo has been in excellent form this year, helping PSV win 14 league games with nine goals and 12 assists.

In his five Europa League appearances, he has also scored three goals and recorded two assists.

Gakpo claimed Van Dijk informed him joining Liverpool would be “the appropriate move,” despite Manchester United being prominently linked to a transfer for the player.

“We spoke a lot over the phone [in] the last days,” Gakpo told Liverpool’s official website.

“What he told me was that this is the right move for me to make and for me to develop and to become a better player, that the club is really big and massive, but also like a real family.

“I think that’s also very important for me because I’m a family guy. He said only good things.

“I’m also happy that he’s here, so he can help me with some stuff. I’m really grateful to be here.”

The game between Liverpool and Brentford on January 2 may be too soon for the paperwork to be completed, preventing Gakpo from making his debut.

Gakpo now joins other forwards Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, and Roberto Firmino as strong competition for the Reds in the attack.