Curtis Jones has revealed that he has come up with a new nickname for Cody Gakpo after the winger’s arrival at Liverpool earlier this year.
The Dutch international has been quite the success story at Anfield since arriving in January, with Jurgen Klopp tipping Gakpo to succeed Roberto Firmino at Liverpool.
And behind the scenes, the winger has made friends away from the pitch, with Jones now revealing via the We Are Liverpool Podcast that he already has a nickname for Gakpo.
Indeed, Jones is taking on quite the leadership role based on his recent comments on Liverpool academy star Calum Scanlon, with the midfielder now making Gakpo feel at home.
Jones said: “I call him Gakkers, that’s the name that needs to stick with him. Cody just came in and everyone loved him when he came in, he’s the most polite lad, but he’s hilarious.
“There was a time he was going on about my accent, saying Curtis’s accent is strong and I said ‘shut up you Gakkers!’ And it just stuck.”
Curtis Jones could have played key role in helping Cody Gakpo settle at Liverpool
Adapting to any Premier League club can be a challenge, especially for a team as big as Liverpool, yet Gakpo has eased through this with flying colours, with Jones likely to thank.
Something as simply as giving a new player a nickname can go far in helping them feel settled at a club, and Jones has done just that with Gakpo after his arrival at the start of the year.
The 24-year-old attacker has been brilliant for the Reds and has provided Klopp with a good option in the forward line over the course of the year.
And for Jones, helping a new signing settle will feel like a personal win, with the midfielder really taking on a leadership role at the club having come through the academy.
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