Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool acted quickly to complete a deal for Cody Gakpo to beat Manchester United to his signature.
The Reds announced the signing of Gakpo, 23, from Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday. It's believed the Premier League side have agreed an initial £37million transfer fee for the Netherlands international, a fee that could rise to £45m with add-ons.
Man Utd were the favourites for Gakpo's signature, yet Liverpool swooped in to agree a deal. Klopp has confirmed they've been interested in the forward "for a long time" and is excited to see what he can do in the Premier League during the coming weeks.
Klopp was asked about the transfer by Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool's fixture against Leicester at Anfield on Friday night. Gakpo watched the 2-1 home win from the stands.
"Yeah for sure [we brought the transfer forward], but we’ve been interested in Cody for a long time or a while," said Klopp. "You know our situation so we can’t pick players up on top, on top and stuff like this.
"We have to collect money then spend a little bit then we collect again. Cody is a very interesting player, came through the Eindhoven academy and is well respected and loved [there] so we think it’s the right moment to bring him in.
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"He can develop but the things he offers helps us massively because in the moment but long term as well, he can play all four positions and it’s very rare. He has the size, physicality, shoots outside the box and has a good nose for situations, speed, good dribbler so all these things to be excited about.
"It’s not the final thing yet but players usually develop well when they’re with us and that’s what we think is a basis is really good."
Man Utd were in the hunt to sign Gakpo after Cristiano Ronaldo's exit last month. The Portugal international's contract was terminated by mutual consent after he criticised the club and several ex-employees in an explosive interview with TalkTV host Piers Morgan.
Yet Gakpo will not be Ronaldo's replacement at Old Trafford. Liverpool fans will be now be looking forward to seeing the youngster in action after his superb start to the season, as he scored nine goals and provided 12 assists in 14 Eredivisie appearances.
Gakpo also impressed for the Netherlands at the World Cup. He helped them reached the quarter-finals - where they lost to eventual winners Argentina on penalties - by scoring three goals. The talent was widely expected to leave PSV following his displays in Qatar.
Gakpo was ineligible to play on Friday night but could be available for the Premier League game against Brentford on Monday. If the necessary paperwork isn't completed in time for that fixture, he will make his debut in the FA Cup game against Wolves on January 7.
