Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo has admitted he is excited to face Manchester United when the two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
The Dutchman was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer, but the Reds ultimately opted to prioritise the signing of Antony from Ajax. There were suggestions that Erik ten Hag could return for the 23-year-old in the January transfer window, but Gakpo ultimately made the move to Liverpool.
Gakpo signed for Jurgen Klopp's side for a fee between £35m and £45m from PSV. His move to Anfield came after an impressive season with the Dutch outfit, while also starring for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar, scoring three time in five matches before Louis van Gaal's side were knocked out at the quarter-final stage on penalties to Argentina.
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The clash between United and Liverpool on Sunday will be Gakpo's first-ever taste of the fixture, and the forward has stressed the importance of the Merseyside club getting the three points against Ten Hag's side.
"Obviously for us it’s a big, big game, we need the three points again, especially at home, so we can continue the run we are making at the moment," he told club media. "It’s a big game, I think everybody knows it, so yeah, I’m really looking forward to playing this game."
Discussing the rivalry between the two clubs, he added: "I know it’s a big rivalry. I watched the games a lot, especially the big ones like this, when I was back in Holland. So I know a few things, but yeah, I think it’s a big difference when you play them yourself."
The 23-year-old forward has scored two goals in 11 matches since signing for Liverpool in January. Having found the back of the net 13 times for PSV before the turn of the year, Gakpo has registered 15 goals and 17 assists in all competitions this season.
United currently sit 10 points ahead of the Merseyside club in the Premier League table. It was Ten Hag's men who got the victory in the reverse fixture in August, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford both on the scoresheet on that day.
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