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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Matt Smith

'Take care of our boy' - PSV fan sends emotional Cody Gakpo message ahead of Liverpool transfer

PSV supporters have been paying tribute to Dutch sensation and academy graduate Cody Gakpo ahead of his imminent move to Liverpool.

Following the Reds' 3-1 Boxing Day triumph at Aston Villa, news emerged that Liverpool and PSV struck an agreement over a deal for Gakpo and that he will be subjected to the necessary formalities ahead of the completion of the transfer to Merseyside.

The ECHO understands that talks between Liverpool and PSV reached an advanced stage, having significantly stepped up in recent days. The initial fee will stand around the £37m figure with add-ons likely to take the deal past the £40m mark.

READ MORE: 'It is exceptional' - Liverpool sent exciting Cody Gakpo transfer message as PSV moves nears

READ MORE: Cody Gakpo sends message to Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool transfer nears

The addition of Gakpo will, undoubtedly, excite those at Anfield. After providing 36 direct goal contributions across the 2021/2022 season, the 23-year-old took such form into the Netherlands' World Cup campaign. He netted three goals in as many Group A matches as Louis van Gaal's side progressed to the quarter-finals in Qatar.

PSV supporters though will be left to see one of their most prodigious young talents depart the club he has represented since the age of six.

And one fan, who goes by the username of 'Stan Sc' on Reddit, has penned an emotional letter to Gakpo named 'Please take good care of our boy Cody,' upon news of his transfer.

They wrote: "I've never been so sad to see one of our players go. Cody has been at PSV since he was six and has always had an outstanding mentality and work rate.

"I am very pleased that he will play for you guys instead of the toxicity that is Man United. I think Klopp can work wonders with him as he is a pure inside forward. He likes coming from the left to cross perfectly to the back post but he also has a cannon of a shot.

"One of the deadliest players I have ever seen when shooting from the edge of the box. Once he has some space on his right it is often guaranteed to go in. Also has a great left foot although he likes an active wingback on the overlap (which Robertson is one of the world’s best at).

"He is super religious and down to earth which I think really fits your club well at the moment. I will miss him dearly but we all hope he will light up the Premier League for years to come."

The same user also provided Liverpool fans with a fascinating profile on Gakpo's attributes, areas of potential improvement, injury record and how he will complement Jurgen Klopp's world-renowned tactical system.

"[Gakpo's] Injury record seems okay, he did pick up a couple of minor injuries the seasons before but no major torn ACL’s or anything like that.

"He can improve on passing in midfield. He is often very direct in heading towards goal and takes people on. Also, his heading can be hit or miss. Pressing-wise, I think I have never been disappointed by him but I do realise in Klopp’s system it is a completely different kind of press and he might need to get used to that level of intensity.

"His biggest strength, however, is his versatility in scoring and assisting. Last year we didn't have a tall striker like Luuk de Jong and he was more of a goalscorer and this year he became more of a creative player. I think that's why Liverpool wanted him as he seems to go well with someone like Nunez beside him."

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