Virgil van Dijk has admitted that Cody Gakpo came into Liverpool at a “difficult” time after interest from Manchester United was swallowed by Jurgen Klopp’s chase of him.
Gakpo was lined up as an alternative to Antony for United, should his transfer from Ajax in the summer not have materialised. The former PSV Eindhoven attacker revealed his disappointment at not being able to secure a move to Old Trafford in the weeks afterwards.
In January, United were always fixated on bringing in a central striker amid Anthony Martial’s injuries and a near-empty wallet. The three-goal World Cup hero instead swapped Eindhoven for Anfield but, unlike his PSV form, didn't get off to a blistering start.
