Ruud van Nistelrooy reveals how Cody Gakpo ignored his advice and signed for Liverpool instead of ‘dream’ club Manchester United.
Cody Gakpo to Manchester United seemed like one of those transfer stories destined to happen. The Red Devils were linked with the Dutch attacker since the summer, as reports even suggested they could sign him after splashing on Antony.
The move might have materialised in January as reports insisted Manchester United were planning to open talks to sign him. Instead, in what seemed like a hurried deal, Gakpo surprised everyone by joining Liverpool. The transfer was under the radar as the Reds announced a £35 million agreement with PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo has not had the brightest of starts at Merseyside. He is yet to score or assist in his first six games. Everyone expected him to hit the ground running after arriving here in a rich vein of form for PSV and the Netherlands at the World Cup.
His struggles at Liverpool have coincided with that of the team under Jurgen Klopp. The humbling defeat at Wolves was the latest in line of a long list of disappointing results this season. Former Reds star Jose Enrique had questioned the move earlier in January, and now Ruud van Nistelrooy reveals something more substantial.
Ruud van Nistelrooy is not happy Cody Gakpo ignored his advice 👀#TelegraphFootball | #LFC | #MUFC pic.twitter.com/nhQHtLhyZw
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) February 8, 2023
Van Nistelrooy, PSV’s current manager, insists Gakpo ignored his transfer advice and listened to Virgil van Dijk ahead of the move to Liverpool. The former striker’s comments appeared on The Telegraph (Twitter) as he asked the forward to wait until the summer to join his ‘dream’ club Manchester United.
Van Nistelrooy said, “Gakpo’s dream move was Man United. I advised him to wait until the summer.
“Something happened, and he refused my advice and listened to Virgil van Dijk, who tempted him to join his team.”
These are damning facts about his move, which looked ill-advised from our perspective early on. Manchester United’s style would have suited him much better, and until now, Klopp has not used him properly in his system.
While it’s still early in a fledging career, Gakpo has plenty of time to showcase his worth in the red shirt. Klopp and the fans will hope the Dutchman soon starts scoring and bringing his A-game on the field as Liverpool look for ways to get out of the current slump.
