Cody Gakpo has already proven Jurgen Klopp wrong after Liverpool transfer

Cody Gakpo has already proven Jurgen Klopp wrong after Liverpool transfer

Cody Gakpo joined Liverpool in January, but Jurgen Klopp cautioned observers not to expect an immediate impact from the player. To the German’s delight, the Liverpool forward has proved him wrong.

Not every player signed by Liverpool can have an immediate effect there. Darwin Nunez may have became the most recent Reds player to score in the Community Shield against Man City in July, but some players took a bit longer to adjust.

Cody Gaoko (Getty Images)

There is no shame in this reality, and under Jurgen Klopp, fans may have been more sympathetic when newcomers do need a little extra time to adjust.

Andy Robertson and Fabinho are perhaps the first examples that come to mind. The Scotland international wouldn’t become a regular for Liverpool until December 2017, while Fabinho had to wait until October 2018 to make his first Premier League start for the Reds.

Price tag and reputation matters not if Klopp wants a player to acclimatise more to Liverpool’s style and his demands before handing them a regular starting berth.

The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kostas Tsimikas, and Ibrahima Konate have all taken that little bit longer to make an impact also.

But while there was great scrutiny when the likes of Fabinho weren’t immediately in Klopp’s starting XI, now supporters are used to such patient treatment when required.

And perhaps that was expected again following the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven in January. After all, having seen Luis Diaz make an explosive impact after joining from FC Porto 12 months earlier, Klopp warned not to expect the Dutchman to do the same.

“I’m very positive about him (but) I’m not sure it’s helpful to compare with Diaz impact,” Klopp told reporters ahead of Gakpo’s debut against Wolves in the FA Cup back in January. “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”.

In other news, Reports- Newcastle considering £60m Liverpool forward signing amid Callum Wilson’s form concerns