Former Ajax and Barcelona defender Frank de Boer believes Liverpool have secured the services of one of the "biggest talents" in Holland following their acquisition of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.
Last night, it was announced that Gakpo has penned a long-term contract until the summer of 2028 after completing his medical on Merseyside, which came just days after the Reds' outgoing sporting director, Julian Ward, had spent his festive period in dialogue with his PSV counterpart, Marcel Brands, thrashing out a deal.
In doing so, Liverpool successfully fended off long-term interest from Premier League foes Manchester United and their manager Erik Ten Hag, who had been keen on a deal for the Dutch prodigy during the summer and had been expected to make a formal move in the January transfer window.
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However, it is Anfield where Gakpo will spend the premium years of his career as he bids to learn from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota, with his compatriot De Boer backing him to shine on Merseyside.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “I’ve seen him now for a couple of years already, he has great potential. He has the ability to score easily with his right foot coming in from the left to the right, he has the speed, the dribbling and I think his mind is also very good.
“When I see him and when he talks on television, he looks to be a very clever boy, he knows what he wants, he still has a lot of potential to grow to be an even better player. His potential for me, he’s one of the biggest talents in Holland.”
Despite playing primarily as a left-sided forward during his days with the Eredivisie giants, Gakpo, who will wear the No.18 shirt at Anfield, has also played in a variety of roles under Netherlands manager Louis Van Gaal, with his eye-catching three-goal return at the 2022 World Cup finals coming while forming a two-man strike partnership with Memphis Depay.
But if Liverpool are to get the best out of their new £37m purchase, Jurgen Klopp must position the 23-year-old on the left of the attack, according to the ex-Ajax, Crystal Palace and Holland boss.
“I think it’s important for him, he’s better when he starts on the left and comes inside," said De Boer. “I think Liverpool plays a little bit like that, I remember [Luis] Diaz playing there, who is also by the way an exceptional talent.
“So when he is fit he will have to fight for that spot. In the meanwhile, he [Gakpo] can grow in that role, I think Liverpool needs a player like that on that side at the moment. I think for me, this is the best choice he could have made at this moment.”
De Boer continued: "He will also get a little bit quicker and more physical, that will come in the years of playing in the Premier League, he will adapt quickly. I think he will only get better, and from my point of view, he made the right choice.”
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