Virgil van Dijk has tipped Cody Gakpo to take “the next step” in his career after impressing for the Netherlands at the World Cup - but said the striker may want to turn down Manchester United.
The Dutch defender was speaking after his side beat the USA 3-1 in the last-16 of the World Cup, which was the first time that 23-year-old Gakpo had failed to score in a game at the Qatar tournament.
Gakpo held talks with United in the summer but Erik Ten Hag’s side are now facing competition from Real Madrid in their bid to replace Cristiano Ronaldo.
Liverpool’s Van Dijk responded to the speculation and said: “Are Manchester United and Real Madrid on the same level? No disrespect, not at all.
“I definitely think he has that next step in him. I definitely feel like it could happen, whether that is in the winter or the summer or next year, time will tell.
“He is a great boy who works hard, very talented and definitely there is more in him. We are so pleased he is doing so well for us. Long may it continue.”
Van Dijk’s Liverpool, meanwhile, have been put up for sale by John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group.
There is concern that it may disrupt Jurgen Klopp’s side from competing at the highest level but the Netherlands captain is not concerned.
“I have full trust in Liverpool that they will be fine,” he added. “We are a very established club, one of the biggest in the world and that will stay that way.
“Whoever comes in to fill in those roles, they will do very well. I am aware of everything that is happening.
“Whether I am taking it in and doing something with it right now, I don’t think so because the full focus is on the World Cup but hopefully everything will be sorted and clarified when I am back. At this point, I am definitely not thinking about it.”
Van Dijk credited manager Louis van Gaal for guiding the Netherlands to the World Cup quarter-finals after overcoming a cancer scare.
“We are unbeaten with him so definitely big credit to him,” he concluded. “He has been very good for Dutch football. We are very happy he is our manager.
“It is the last period for him and then he will stop so we will give everything for him like we give everything for any coach we have. It is about taking it game by game.”
