Curtis Jones admits the entire Liverpool squad loved Cody Gakpo the minute he arrived at Anfield.
The Dutchman was signed last January from PSV Eindhoven after impressing with the Netherlands at the World Cup. Midseason moves can prove difficult but Gakpo quickly settled in Merseyside and scored seven times in the Premier League – including a brace in the 7-0 thrashing over Manchester United.
He proved to be a hit on and off the pitch with the Dutchman striking up relationships at the training ground. Jones was among those to engage with Gakpo early on and a joke about his scouse accent saw the new signing assigned a nickname that has stuck.
Jones said on the We are Liverpool podcast: “I call him Gakkers, that’s the name that needs to stick with him. Cody just came in and everyone loved him when he came in, he’s the most polite lad, but he’s hilarious. There was a time he was going on about my accent, saying Curtis’s accent is strong and I said ‘Shut up you Gakkers!’ And it just stuck,”
Gakpo has continued to play regularly on Merseyside despite the competition for places, especially in the final third. He’s taken part in 10 of Liverpool’s Premier League outings this term, scoring four times across all competitions.
Jurgen Klopp has hailed his versatility, which has increased his minutes: “Since Cody has been here, he has played many positions. He had to play in midfield but that was never the plan, we just had to do it. He is a versatile striker and arrives into the box well. He’s a top player and a good character.”
Gakpo’s switch to Liverpool quickly materialised despite interest from United with Erik ten Hag keen on his compatriot. He said on his move: “I heard about Liverpool’s interest – and I think five days later the deal was done,” said the elegant 6ft 4ins forward ahead of his first taste of the Merseyside derby. My manager and brother knew about it for a long time, but I said to them at the World Cup not to tell me anything because I have to focus. As soon as I heard about the interest, the feeling was ‘Come on, let’s go.’
Ruud van Nistelrooy, formerly a prolific marksman at United, was keen for him to follow in his footsteps, but Gakpo felt he’d still achieved a major switch. “It was Ruud’s wish that I went to a big club – and I think I have achieved that with Liverpool,” he said.
