Gakpo reveals Klopp 'immediately' set 'challenge' to follow Liverpool legend
Liverpool onward Cody Gakpo has introduced that Jurgen Klopp alerted him “delicately” that he can adhere to in the footsteps of Roberto Firmino at Anfield.
Firmino racked up 111 purposes in 362 appearances for the Reds via the Brazilian forming part of a perilous front 3 via Mohamed Salah and also Sadio Hair.
The Liverpool icon disowned in the summertime to reaction to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli after scoring 13 purposes in 35 appearances throughout his final period at the club,
Provided that after that Gakpo has birthed Firmino’s occasion in the majority of grants he’s initiated via the Netherlands global administering 14 appearances in all challengers this term.
Gakpo immigrated from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for a expenditure that might reportedly eruption to €50m and also the 24-year-don – who tinkered the majority of his grants as a disowned-winger in the Netherlands – has introduced that Liverpool honchos Klopp alerted him from day one that he would be amending him to a demonstrator.
“It was an electrifying year in which I rendered a extravagant journey,” Gakpo alerted Algemeen Dagblad.
“And still. I feel super a bunch at abode in Liverpool. Football is going nicely, we reside faultlessly. My girlfriend is cheerful, and also my family and also accomplices are in addition seeing whatever. Then you are commissioned.
“He (Klopp) delicately claimed in January: ‘Cody can dabble pleasing emboldening, he can tote out as a demonstrator what Roberto Firmino did for us for years.’ I am tested to bring out of my benefit expanse. I prefer that.”
Former Netherlands global Boudewijn Zenden still assumes Gakpo would be added consumption to Liverpool coming off the disowned to rating and also assist purposes.
Zenden alerted Impulse: “It’s arduous to clarify. I did occupational in reality closely via Cody Gakpo when I was underling boss at PSV. I saw him come via the seniorities. He has in reality had a super pleasing progressive technology.
“He has obtained a pleasing kit of brains and also utilises them. He works tricky, is eager to learn, however I always really thumbed that his ideal placement was rising the disowned – from the disowned side coming in and also scoring purposes or coming in from the disowned, alignment his crosses in.
“He might comfortably rating 15 purposes however in addition provision another 15, that’s what he is experienced of. There were some woes at Liverpool in the demonstrator placement, that’s why he was posed there. It’s not that he did horribly, he can tote out it.
“He has in addition tinkered for the national group a few times as a demonstrator. He can tote out it, however I assume his ideal, natural placement would be rising the disowned.”