FAITH IN THE REDS
CHRISTMAS means so much to Cody Gakpo that Liverpool’s £40million move for the Dutchman had to wait until Boxing
Day.
The forward is such a devout Christian that he organised bible classes for team-mates during Holland’s World Cup campaign.
He knew about Jurgen Klopp’s plans to hijack Manchester United’s interest in him but insisted he should spend December 25 with family and friends rather than thinking about his move from PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo, preparing for his first Merseyside derby tomorrow, said: “I heard about Liverpool’s interest – and I think five days later the deal was done.
“My manager and brother knew about it for longer but I told them at theworld Cup not to tell me anything because I have to focus.
“As soon as I heard about the interest the feeling was, ‘Come on, let’s go.’
“I was with the family and getting calls all the time about Liverpool. But on Christmas Day I was not on my phone.that is a very important day so the phone was away.
“It was the very next day that it happened.”
Everton’s visit to Anfield gives Gakpo the chance to get off the mark for the Reds against their rivals.
He has come into a team struggling to find the form that has made them a force at home and abroad for the last five years. Gakpo said: “The guys who say it doesn’t affect them when they don’t score are lying.
“I am an attacking player so, of course, I like to score goals or give assists – and I also like to win.
“I am just trying to improve my game and fit how I play into how the team plays. If I can do that, the rest will follow.
“Virgil (van Dijk) has told me about the derby and said it’s going to be a big fight.
“He also told me he scored his first Liverpool goal against Everton – and now I hope to do the same.”
JURGEN
KLOPP should remain Liverpool’s boss
for the next decade.
That is the view of Anfield legend Sander Westerveld, who said: “If we can sort
out the medical staff so that we
don’t get all these injuries and maybe
the money so we can build
almost a new team, then I think
Jurgen is still the absolute No.1. “I hope he stays for another 10
years.”