Liverpool boss Klopp reveals long-term Gakpo plan; admits £44m signing ‘impacts’ Bellingham hopes

Lewis Oldham
Klopp on Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp has indicated where he sees Cody Gakpo playing for Liverpool following his £44m move from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.

Liverpool announced on Wednesday evening that they have completed the signing of Gakpo ahead of the winter transfer window.

The Reds will pay an initial £37m and this fee could rise to around £44m with add-ons. He has reportedly penned a five-and-a-half-year deal.

Gakpo was initially expected to join Man Utd in January but Liverpool moved quickly behind the scenes to secure his services.

Klopp is “really happy” that they were able to get the deal over the line.

“He’s a really, really good player so the package is really interesting,” Klopp told reporters (via Liverpool Echo).

“That’s why we were very interested to get him in and I’m really happy we could do it. Big for him. Big for us. Great day.”

On the impact Virgil van Dijk had on the transfer: “It was a home run (negotiations). We didn’t need Virgil to convince him but he likes to be involved in these things!”

Gakpo has played all across the forward line for PSV and the Netherlands but Klopp thinks he will be at his best playing in the left.

“The position he has played most often is on the left, that is clear,” Klopp added.

“But he can play all four positions up front if you play a 4-2-3-1 and is still very young. In good form with the league and World Cup.

“The position he probably prefers he can play is on the left of a 4-3-3.”

Some have surmised that Gakpo’s arrival will lead to Roberto Firmino leaving the club next summer when his contract expires.

But Klopp has reiterated that he “definitely wants him to stay” beyond this season.

“No. We had talks with Bobby. From my point of view, I want him definitely to stay. It has no impact. If it affects Bobby then you’d have to ask him.”

When asked if Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz’s injuries increased Liverpool’s need to sign Gakpo, Klopp added: “No, not at all.

“We decided to do something from the sports POV without having a green light from the financial side two or three months ago. In the end, because we did it early, it might have been influenced.”

Liverpool plan to be busy in the transfer market next year. After signing Gakpo, their priority will be to sign a new midfielder or two.

It is no secret that they would love to bring in Jude Bellingham. He is expected to cost over £100m but Man City and Real Madrid also want him.

Klopp has admitted that Gakpo’s arrival in January will “impact the money” they can spend in the summer.

“The money you spend impacts the money you can spend (in future). Same for anyone,” Klopp continued.

“But we know what we want to do and see if we can do it. It’s about money of course but it’s more about how it always was – the right players. We are really, really happy we got Cody.

“It’s about timing and getting players in at the right moment. He always made the next step. We believe in our process, when players especially offensive ones. They all make a step forward because of the way we work and can help them.”

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