Cody Gakpo to wear number that will give Liverpool fans mixed memories

Cody Gakpo has already been given his shirt number for Liverpool, and fans will have some mixed memories of their players wearing the kit.

The Reds surprised everyone on Boxing Day, when it was reported that they were on the verge of signing the PSV forward.

Gakpo had been heavily linked with their rivals Manchester United since the summer, when Erik ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford and looked to boost his attacking options.

But it was Liverpool who jumped ahead of the queue to sign the Netherlands star, in the wake of his three goals at the World Cup, although one club legend isn't convinced it's what they need.

One reason Gakpo has arrived at Anfield is to cover for Luis Diaz, who is expected to be out for another few months, having originally been due to return from injury after the World Cup.

The Dutchman joins a stacked forward line for last season's Premier League runners-up, who are still somewhat adjusting to life without Sadio Mane.

Mane's departure to Bayern Munich left the number 10 shirt clear for him but he's actually been handed the number 18 jersey for the rest of the season.

It was most recently worn by Takumi Minamino, before the Japanese star left for Monaco at the end of last season, following a disappointing spell on Merseyside.

Minamino looked like he could have been Jurgen Klopp's annual January steal, when he joined from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020 for just £7.25 million.

However, he played just 30 Premier League games across two and a half seasons at the club, and went on loan to Southampton during that spell.

Reds fans will certainly be hoping that Gakpo has a bigger impact on the team than the previous player to wear 18, and the one before that.

Minamino took the shirt from left back Alberto Moreno, when the Spaniard moved to Villarreal in 2019, having spent five years at the club.

Despite being a Champions League winner, Moreno's time with Klopp's side isn't remembered too fondly, unlike the man who wore the shirt before him.

That was Reds cult hero Dirk Kuyt, who welcomed Gakpo to the club and wished him well on wearing the number 18, taking to Twitter to say, "Cody Gakpo, welcome to LFC.

"This number has brought me lots of magic, and I hope it will bring you the same kinda magic too. Congratulations and good luck."

Cody Gakpo, welcome to @LFC. This number has brought me lots of magic, and I hope it will bring you the same kinda magic too. Congratulations and good luck. #LFC #LiverpoolFC pic.twitter.com/GwzF42Izbm

— Dirk Kuyt (@Kuyt) December 29, 2022

Having seen their rivals steal the forward from under their noses, United fans might be even less happy to see him wearing the same number as Kuyt.

The Dutchman is one of just seven men to have scored a Premier League hat-trick past the 13 times champions, and was only the second to do so.

Liverpool fans may have to wait a while to see their new man in his new number however, despite the fact he's available for the game against Brentford on January 2nd.

With the forward having not returned to training since Qatar, and needing to learn Liverpool's style of play, his first game could be delayed.