Ronald de Boer believes Cody Gakpo made the “right choice” in joining Liverpool from PSV and has tipped the 23-year-old to his full potential at Anfield.
The striker was announced as a Reds player yesterday after an initial £37m worth of deal was struck with the Eredivisie side.
The Dutch international has been listed as one of the ‘biggest talents’ in the Netherlands by the former Barcelona star and has explained what the number 18 will bring to Jurgen Klopp’s team.
Speaking to talkSPORT (via the Liverpool Echo), he said: “I’ve seen him for a couple of years now, he has great potential. He has the ability to easily score with his right foot coming in from left to right, he has the speed, the dribbling and I think his mind is very good as well.
“When I see him and when he talks on TV, he seems like a very smart guy, he knows what he wants, he still has a lot of potential to grow and become a better player. His potential for me is one of the greatest talents in the Netherlands ”.
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Gakpo’s versatility is something that sets him apart from the rest.
Often deployed on the left wing under Ruud Van Nistelrooy at PSV, but showed he has the ability to operate as a false nine for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar, where he scored three times.
However, De Boer believes that it is ‘important’ that the Dutchman plays on the left for Klopp’s team.
“I think it’s important for him, it’s better when he starts on the left and goes inside,” De Boer said. “I think Liverpool play a bit like that, I remember. [Luis] That’s where Díaz plays, who by the way is also an exceptional talent.
“So when he’s fit, he’s going to have to fight for that spot. meanwhile he [Gakpo] he can grow in that role, I think Liverpool need a player like that in that side at the moment. I think for me, this is the best choice he could have made at this time.”
De Boer continued: “He will also get a bit quicker and more physical, that will come in the years of playing in the Premier League, he will adapt quickly. I think he will only get better, and from my point of view, he made the right decision.
Luis Díaz has been excellent since he was signed by FC Porto in January. However, he has been unlucky with injuries this term and he’s likely to be sidelined until March.
Meanwhile, Diogo Jota is also a huge fan favorite at Anfield but is expected to return to action in February.
Gakpo will refresh our attacking options and with our desire to remain as competitive as possible in the coming seasons, strength in depth is imperative.
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