sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Liverpool legend 'not so sure' on Cody Gakpo signing

Home> Football

Updated 14:47 28 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 14:37 28 Dec 2022 GMT

Liverpool legend 'not so sure' on Cody Gakpo signing

With Liverpool on the verge of completing a deal to sign PSV forward Gakpo, a former Liverpool legend has expressed his doubts.

George Priestman

George Priestman

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has expressed doubts over whether the imminent Cody Gakpo will be a success for the club.

The Merseyside club are expected to announce the signing of the PSV Eindhoven forward in the coming hours, as he is currently undergoing a medical at the club.

Having starred for club and country this season, Gakpo was in high demand, with Manchester United seemingly the frontrunners for his signature - yet, Liverpool have swooped in out of nowhere to secure the signing.

Despite scoring a hatful of goals, as well as starring at the World Cup in Qatar, former Liverpool defender Nicol has raised concerns over the move.

Advert

Given the injury issues that the Reds have in the forward areas, Gakpo stands as a mid-season boost, as they look to return to the top four places, as well as mount challenges across the FA Cup and Champions League.

Considering Liverpool will be without Diogo Jota until February and Luis Diaz until March, the Gakpo signing makes sense for right now.

However, in the long term, Liverpool will have a deep catalogue of forwards, and its likely that Roberto Firmino, who's contract expires in the summer, will likely make way for this new age of attacking talent.

In terms of Nicol's doubts, he is struggling to see where he fits in this Liverpool side.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure," Nicol told ESPN FC. "Where does he play? He doesn't play way up high, he doesn't play in the middle. He's kind of in between.

Gakpo in action for the Netherlands during this year's World Cup. (Image
Alamy)

"Where does that fit in with the way Liverpool play? I'm not so sure it does. Unless they see something and he's going to play wide of the front three, or else they're going to sit him back and he's going to be doing a sort of Jude Bellingham [role] by getting into the box late.

"Is he going to do all the hard work and get forward? But for me, he's kind of in between."

Gakpo has 13 goals and 17 assists in just 24 appearances for PSV this season, and he stands out on his own as the leading goal provider in Europe ahead of the likes of Lionel Messi and Kevin De Bruyne.

Gakpo has the most goal contributions in Europe this season. (Image
Alamy)

He starred for the Netherlands down the centre for Louis van Gaal, scoring in all three of their group games against Ecuador, Qatar and Senegal.

Klopp will have another young, direct and flexible forward to work with and he can certainly be a replacement on the left wing for Diaz, whilst he can also play down the centre with Darwin Nunez on the left wing.

Or he could feature in a front two or as a left inside-forward if Klopp looks to roll out the 4-2-2-2 formation he utilised in games against West Ham, Rangers and Manchester City. We'll just have to see if he can prove Nicol wrong and be a success at Anfield.

On 28th December, watch Leeds United vs Manchester City in the Premier League live. Watch for free with a 30-day trial to Prime!

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Liverpool, Cody Gakpo, Premier League, Football, PSV

George Priestman
George Priestman

Huge Football, Boxing and Film fan. Also, a Chelsea fan living in the North West. Looking to break into the world of sports media by any means necessary!

X

@gpriestman1998

Recommended reads

Tyson Fury explains why his 14-year-old son Prince has “no choice” but to become a boxerGettyTyson Fury targets Jon Jones clash as next move after boxing confirmedGetty“I don’t fight for a country” – Michael 'Venom' Page reveals why he won’t walk out with a flag at UFC LondonGeoff Stellfox/Getty ImagesLerone Murphy details ‘bucket list’ fight ahead of UFC LondonChris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Advert

Choose your content:

8 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • X/@UtdKev08
    8 mins ago

    Gary Neville's instant response to Man City fan abusing him at Carabao Cup final

    Gary Neville was on-commentary duty for Manchester City's Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal and got pelters from a fan near the gantry.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Zinedine Zidane reaches verbal agreement to finally return to football

    Zidane is set to take the job after this summer's World Cup.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Pep Guardiola's unseen interaction with Rayan Cherki after showboating drama

    Footage of Guardiola and Cherki's interaction has gone viral.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    2 hours ago

    Declan Rice footage during Carabao Cup ceremony leaves Arsenal fans extremely worried

    Some believe the gruelling season is starting to catch up with Rice.

    Football
  • Cody Gakpo drops huge bombshell on Trent Alexander-Arnold's future following Premier League title win
  • Liverpool star 'facing FA sanction' for breaking strict IFAB rule during Spurs title-winning celebrations
  • Three ways Liverpool could line up after signing £37m forward Cody Gakpo
  • Brentford owner names the four players he ‘regrets’ not signing in rare interview