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 faltering start and the difference between the two teams that November 7 into a mirage, they got their act together at Anfield. On their 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 top 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. Bigger words endorsed by 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 footballer from the ten main European leagues to agglutinate a 20-20 in this course and a half

While he has been the most outstanding player for the Netherlands in the recent World Cup, again according to olocip data, by far surpassing 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 launched into the final in Paris and Carvajal, with the invaluable help of Valverde, managed to deactivate him.

In Gakpo, Klopp finds himself 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 Pool, the name of Real Madrid slipped from the Netherlands. "I have reliable Spanish sources that report that Real wants to get Cody Gakpo as Benzema's successor,"

Reality drew a different landscape. And now Gakpo will meet the white team, but as one of the great threats to 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 suitable 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 who 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.

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 footballer from the ten main European leagues to agglutinate a 20-20 in this course and a halfWhile he has been the most outstanding player for the Netherlands in the recent World Cup, again according to Olocip data, by far surpassing Noppert and Frenkie de Jong.