‘Jurgen Klopp Brought Me to Liverpool

Cody Gakpo has opened up on the difference between life under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot’s new regime at Anfield. The Dutch forward has been in fine form under his compatriot but has expressed his feeling that Liverpool has been ‘home’ ever since he arrived from PSV Eindhoven in 2023.

While there were glimpses of the electric goalscorer that turned out each week for the Eredivisie outfit during Gakpo’s first season and a half on Merseyside, he’s only now looking to be the superstar Reds’ supporters thought they were getting their hands on. Klopp was the man to bring the 25-year-old to England, but he almost instantly changed the role he would play in a struggling Liverpool side.

The Premier League giants were in the middle of a tough campaign when the Netherlands international arrived in January 2023. Roberto Firmino’s slow decline and Darwin Nunez’s struggles to settle in meant Klopp was in desperate need of a reliable pair of hands through the middle of his frontline.

Cody Gakpo’s Time Under Klopp

An inconsistent relationship on the pitch

Gakpo’s £37 million arrival from PSV was met with excitement from the Anfield faithful, as the 2022 World Cup star was being tracked by other European heavyweights, including Manchester United. Klopp’s impressive record in the transfer market had many thinking the winger would be the latest gem the German turned into a world-class superstar.

The player himself recently told Men in Blazers about the feeling he was given by the club and its supporters, first saying: “When Liverpool approached me, I felt it was a very warm club… similar to PSV but a bigger club.” Gakpo then went on to add:

Coming into a misfiring Liverpool side wasn’t going to be easy but Gakpo made himself undroppable very quickly with some impressive displays. However, the man previously known for doing his best work on the left flank was forced into a central role while Nunez was shifted out wide.

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In an unnatural role, Gakpo did an admirable job during the rest of the 2022/23 season as the club narrowly missed out on Champions League football. His first full season at Anfield wasn’t as fruitful. Having demonstrated his willingness to play in different positions, Gakpo found himself utilised in several roles, including central midfield.

Not having a settled role in the squad didn’t help his confidence as the underperforming Dutchman soon found himself in and out of Klopp’s side, and he was even described as playing in ‘slow motion’ by Jamie Carragher following a poor display at Old Trafford.

Gakpo’s Resurgence Under Arne Slot

He’s returned to his old ‘dangerous’ self

Klopp’s shock departure at the end of the 2023/24 season left many Liverpool players’ futures up in the air. Arne Slot’s appointment could have been a daunting prospect for some of the previous manager’s favourites, but it’s been a blessing in disguise for Gakpo.

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One of the main reasons for his upturn in form this term has been the fact he’s reverted to his roots. Gakpo is fully aware of this, as he said: “Before I came to Liverpool I was a left winger, then I came here and started to play more as a central striker.” Elaborating further, the winger explained the part Slot has played in this:

Despite being in direct competition with the also red-hot Luis Diaz, Gakpo has managed to register six goals in all competitions and is seeing regular minutes under the new boss. His incredible ability to find space and fire in lethal efforts from long range has returned, along with his determination to beat his man.

Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 14-11-24.