Virgil van Dijk says he answered all of Cody Gakpo’s questions about joining Liverpool prior to the forward’s move from PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo is an international colleague of Van Dijk’s for the Netherlands. As a result, it’s fair to assume that the two have spoken about the former’s imminent switch to Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp has played down his centre-back’s involvement in convincing Gakpo to move to Liverpool, though. And speaking to Sky Sports after the Reds’ 2-1 win over Leicester City tonight, Virgil backed that up.
“[Gakpo is a] Good player, good boy and obviously I know how it is to come in in January. We have to give him time and I’m very sure Liverpool fans will give him that time. We’re a family, the real ones will back him no matter what. He has to keep his head down no matter what happens, fight, enjoy the moment,” began the 31-year-old.
“I spoke to him and I can only say good things because obviously I’m here. I’ve been enjoying my time here and we’ve been very successful. I think the manager said it as well, it was an easy decision to make and I didn’t need to convince him. But if he had any questions I gave him the honest answer. I’m very glad he’s here.”
Whatver Van Dijk said obviously did the trick. It’s easy to play it down, but it’s clear that having a familiar face at a club can help to make up a player’s mind.
Gakpo makes Anfield debut… kind of
Gakpo was at Anfield this evening to see his new team squeeze past Leicester to a fourth Premier League win in a row.
Watching on, he perhaps could see just why Liverpool have felt the need to bring him in this winter. Despite Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah’s best efforts, there was a lack of threat to the Reds’ forward play.
Leicester were at times wide open, but Liverpool just couldn’t seem to get things right in the final third. In the end, it says a lot that they were reliant on two own goals to take them to victory.
But hopefully Gakpo could also see where he can slot in here. There were times when he must have been licking his lips at the open space the Foxes left in behind.
As a man with an exceptional goal record, the 23-year-old would surely have fancied his chances at a goal had he been on the pitch.
As it was, all he could do was watch on. But, whether it’s thanks to Virgil or not, Liverpool will soon be able to call on his exciting talents.
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