Gakpo, threat for Madrid

When the draw paired Madrid with Liverpool for the Champions League round of 16, Klopp’s men were in a deep rut. To turn that hesitant start and the difference between the two teams that November 7 into a mirage, the batteries have been put in place at Anfield. On his return to competition, they knocked out Aston Villa on Boxing Day (1-3) and placed sixth in the Premier. Hours later, they made the signing of Cody Gakpo official. A throne reinforcement whose future was held in United red, but has ended up reaching a scouser hue. An attacker who, at 23, automatically becomes a threat to the white club in the highest continental competition (the first leg, on February 21; the return, at the Bernabéu, on March 15). €50M for a footballer who was too small for the Eredivisie.

13 goals (9 of them in domestic competition, where he is top scorer ahead of Bergwijn) and 17 assists with PSV this season. every 65.3 minutes, Gakpo had a direct impact on a goal. Words greater than endorsement olocip. The expert company in applying AI to football places him as the best player in the Dutch league of the season. Until now, with his actions, he has managed to generate 9.7 goals more than expected and leads the competition in fouls received in ground duels, set pieces, passes and the aforementioned total value. His explosion began to take shape at the beginning of 2021-22, accumulating 21 goals and 25 assists in the Eredivisie since the start of last season, the only player from Europe’s top ten leagues to go 20-20 in this course and a half.

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While he has been the standout player for the Netherlands at the recent World Cup, again according to data from olocipto the far surpass Noppert and Frenkie de Jong. His 3 goals, with just 4 shots, enhanced the brightness of the spotlights that were already pointed at him a priori. That finishing precision makes him the second best finisher of Qatar 2022 in efficiency, behind Mbappé and in Merseyside they have not hesitated to press the accelerator in an operation reminiscent of Luis Díaz’s just a few months ago (he signed in the winter market from Porto in exchange for €47 million). A footballer, the Colombian, who last year was thrown into the final in Paris and Carvajal, with the invaluable help of Valverde, managed to deactivate him.

A legend placed him on the white radar

In Gakpo, Klopp is a dribbling left winger, and his relationship with the rival goal is his greatest weapon. The injuries to Luiz Díaz himself and Diogo Jota, at least until they recover their tone, open the door to his favorite position, although he could also appear as a forward and even lean on the right. However, his verticality and sharp right leg make him fearsome from the left-handed profile. In fact, in the World Cup, despite his good performance and confirmation of him as a reality, he did not see the best Gakpo and was more of a finisher than that irreverent footballer who has made the greats of Europe fall in love. What’s more, beyond United and the Poolfrom the Netherlands the name of Real Madrid slipped. “I have reliable Spanish sources that report that Real wants to get Cody Gakpo as Benzema’s successor”, revealed René Van de Kerkhof, PSV legend and World runner-up with Oranje in 1974 and 1978.

Reality drew a different landscape. And now Gakpo will meet the white team, but as one of the great threats for Ancelotti’s men and not as an ally. The one from Eindhoven will have time to assimilate the automatisms of Klopp’s Liverpool. Next January 2 could be his debut, although the FA Cup clash against Lopetegui’s Wolves is the most appropriate date. Then there will be another five matches that should serve as a set-up. The ‘reds’ will seek revenge after the final of the last Champions League with a winter signing that will enjoy more than a month and a half to sharpen his fangs. Salah, Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, Diogo Jota… and Madrid will now also have to tie Cody Gakpo short on their way to the Fifteenth.