Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo, said he almost joined Manchester United in 2022 before the Red Devils decided to sign Antony instead.
Dutch striker Gakpo finally joined Liverpool in January 2023 and was in good shape for the Reds this quarter, scoring 14 goals in all competitions.
The 25 -year -old is a regular at the Arne team and a fans’ favorite in Anfield, but things could have gone very differently if he had sealed a move to Old Trafford Eindhoven in 2022.
Addressing the players’ gallery, Gakpo said: “At that time [2022]I started to hear rumors of moving in England. Now, everyone who knows me, know that I am a man guided by my faith.
“So, one day, I had a meeting with the pastor of my church in Holland, and he brought a friend who was a pastor elsewhere.
“This other pastor said,” Can I tell you something? ” I said of course. It was before big clubs came to knock on my door. And he said that God told him that I would go to Liverpool. I laughed a bit like, yeah, kind, we will see about this. There was already a little interest from Manchester United, so I thought we will see.
“Then, in the summer of 2022, United opted for Antony. I was like, what should I do? At this point, I could go to Leeds, Southampton, or I could stay at the PSV.
“I prayed and asked for advice from God. But you see, I had to make sure I received his message.
“So I said, if I only mark once, I’m going to go to Southampton…. If I score twice, I will go to Leeds…. If I score three times, I will stay.
“The next day, we played and I scored twice. I was also involved in a third goal – and at the beginning, it was called as its own objective. Then I was replaced. So two goals, right? I thought, ah, ok, it’s then leeds. I was at peace with my decision.
Cody Gakpo expects to feel a “strange” feeling when he goes out at PSV Eindhoven as an opposition player tomorrow evening 🗣️
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 28, 2025
“While I was sitting on the bench, I told my friend, Jordan Teze, who is now playing for Monaco, the whole story. He was like: “If God wants you to stay, this own objective will be awarded to you”. It was like a draw, waiting to see what they decided. It could have gone in both directions! But after the match, they gave me the goal. I scored three, so my fate changed. I stayed at the PSV.
“It’s a funny story, but in a way, it’s a really important piece of the puzzle. Thank God, I stayed because it allowed me to play in the World Cup, which led to Liverpool. »»
Return PSV
Gakpo returns to the former PSV club on Wednesday evening as part of a young Reds team for their last match in the Champions League.
He is one of the few Liverpool players to make the trip and his impatience to return to the stadium where he made his name.
He added: “It’s a beautiful moment, a special moment for me, of course. I can’t wait to be on the ground tomorrow.
“”[It will be] Quite strange. I think I have never been in the locker room outside, so it will be the first time and on the other side of the ranging. So, different from what I was used to.
“But when the game starts, I think all of these things will disappear and we will all focus on the game.
“With the team we have, we are here and we are going for the victory. Hopefully it will be a good game.
“Hopefully [I get] Good reception of fans. I think I have always had a good link with them, so I can’t wait to see them again tomorrow.
“I had the manager’s question [about staying at home] Also, but I did not play a minute against Lille last week [and] also from the point of view of the manager [he knew] That I would probably like to come here and get a few minutes here. That’s why I’m here.
Klopp vs Slot
Liverpool sits at the top of the Premier League and the Champions League after an extremely impressive season since Slot replaced the former legendary boss Jurgen Klopp.
On the differences between the two, Gakpo said: “This process, of course, started under Klopp. Now Slot is based on this foundation.
“He is a very earth-to-terre manager. Very calm, composed. You can tell him about football, life, anything.
“It is so good tactically, and I think we adapt to its system. If you look at our midfielder – Curtis, Ryan, Dominik, Wataru, Elliot, Alexis – they are all full field environments.
“They can do everything: run, win duels and meet between the lines. With Klopp, we played a long ball more often then we were fighting, but now that we play with more patience and shorter passes, you can fully see the quality of our midfielder. “”
