Gakpo: How I joined Liverpool over Man Utd

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 12 Feb 2023 14:58 GMT
• 3 min read

Cody Gakpo has revealed the process that led to him joining Liverpool instead of Manchester United last month.

Gakpo completed a €57 million move to Liverpool from PSV during the January transfer, signing a contract until 2028 at Anfield.

This move comes about after Man Utd had been expected to wrap up a deal for Gakpo in January, having been close to signing the World Cup star in the summer.

PROFILE: Who is Cody Gakpo?

Gakpo revealed that he spoke to his PSV coach - former Man Utd striker - Ruud van Nistelrooy about signing for Man Utd last summer.

How Gakpo joined Liverpool over Man Utd

"To be honest, I spoke to him [Van Nistelrooy] a lot about United in the summer when the transfer looked like it may be coming," Gakpo said. "But in the winter, not really. It was Ruud’s wish that I went to a big club - and I think I have achieved that with Liverpool.

"There was a lot of speculation in the summer. It was the first window where it was possible to move and so, yes, it affected me a little bit.

"But then there was one moment when I just said, 'forget about it, play your best game, and maybe it will happen next summer or in the winter'. That's what I tried to do and it went well.

"I heard about Liverpool's interest [in December] - and I think five days later the deal was done. My manager and brother knew about it for a longer time, but I said to them at the World 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'. You have a second Christmas Day? Boxing Day, right? I was with the family - including nieces and aunties - and I was 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."

Gakpo had 13 goals and 17 assists for PSV in all competitions this season, prior to joining Liverpool.

He also impressed massively at the 2022 World Cup where he scored three goals and was his team’s key player as they reached the quarter finals where they lost on penalties to eventual winners Argentina.

Gakpo has struggled so far at Liverpool, having failed to score or assist in his first six games