Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Theo Squires

Jurgen Klopp makes big Cody Gakpo training claim ahead of Liverpool debut

Jurgen Klopp has labelled Cody Gakpo 'a joy to watch' after the forward reported for training with Liverpool for the first time earlier this week.

The 23-year-old joined the Reds for an initial £37m from PSV Eindhoven last month, with the deal finalised on Tuesday. As a result, the Netherlands international is in line to make his Liverpool debut against Wolves in the FA Cup on Saturday.

With Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota currently long-term absentees because of injury, Klopp reiterated his delight at being able to bring in Gakpo before sharing his excitement after seeing the Dutchman in training with his new team-mates for the first time.

READ MORE: Man City strike deal with billionaire linked to Liverpool takeover as new challenge emerges

READ MORE: Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui left fuming at Liverpool advantage ahead of FA Cup tie

"Cody's in for two days, two training days, two full training days," he told reporters. "It's a joy to watch to be honest. Of course with our situation, injuries to the strikers as well, it's really nice to have a player, a guy on the pitch who is pretty natural in a lot of things in the offensive part of the game and knows where the goal stands.

"That's always very helpful. He is obviously full of joy, enjoying each second in the moment. That is very good. He's a good footballer, good in small spaces, likes to finish from distance as well. Pretty good shooting technique, good dribbler. It's different when you sign a player, you watch a lot of stuff but it's nice to see them in real time and in life.

"He looks really good, really promising, he looks fit. That's all good. Is he 100% fit? I don't know. He trained a few days where he was allowed to train but not with the team. Now two days with the team. You could see the sessions he's had were intense for him. Not more intense but everything is new, so you feel it a bit more.

"I'm very positive about him I'm not sure it's helpful to compare with Diaz impact - that was really special to be honest. We could swap around a little bit. We had difficulties as well injury-wise so he was extremely helpful. That's how it will be in this moment as well.

"Cody gets the same amount of time like each player. You have to settle in offensively, it's not that easy. He comes in from a different league. That's always difficult. It was for Lucho as well, but you don't have to compare them. We expect a positive impact, definitely."

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.