The striker of Liverpool, Cody Gakpo, said he was almost Manchester United in 2022 before the Red Devils decided to sign Antony instead.
The Dutch striker Gakpo finally came to Liverpool in January 2023 and was in good shape this season for the red and scored 14 goals in all competitions.
The 25-year-old is regularly in Arne Slots and a fan favorite at Angeldd, but things could have been very different if he had sealed a move to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in 2022.
In conversation with the players’ tribune, Gakpo said: “At this time (2022) I heard rumors about moving to England. Now everyone knows who knows me is a man who is guided by my faith.
“One day I had a meeting with the pastor from my church in Holland and he brought a friend who was a pastor elsewhere.
“This other pastor said:” Can I tell you something? “Of course I said. This was before big clubs came to my door. And he said that God told him that I would go to Liverpool. I somehow laughed at how, yes, nice, we’ll see about it. Manchester United was a bit of interest, so I thought we’ll see.
“Then United went for Antony in the summer of 2022. I thought what should I do? At that time I was able to stay in Leeds, Southampton, or PSV.
“I prayed and asked God for leadership. But you see, I had to make sure I got his message.
“So I said that if I only scored a goal, I will go to Southampton … If I score twice, I go to Leeds … If I score three times, I’ll stay.
“We played the next day and I rated twice. I was also involved in a third goal – and initially it was described as a separate goal. Then I was understood. So two goals, right? I thought Ah, ok, it’s Leeds. I was in peace with my decision.
Cody Gakpo expected to experience a “pretty strange” feeling when he runs out as an opposition winner tomorrow evening as an opposition player 🗣️
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 28, 2025
“When I was sitting on the bench, I told my friend Jordan Teze, who is now playing for Monaco, the whole story. He said, “If God wants you to stay, you will give you your own goal.” It was like a coin that was waiting to see what they decided. It could have been in both directions! But after the game they gave me the goal. I scored three points, so my fate changed. I stayed with PSV.
“It’s a funny story, but in a way it is a really important piece of the puzzle. Thank God I stayed because it could play in the World Cup, which led to Liverpool. “
PSV return
Gakpo returns to the former Club PSV on Wednesday evening as part of a youthful Reds squad for her last Champions League game.
He is one of the few high -ranking Liverpool players who take the trip, and he looks forward to returning to the stadium where he made his name.
He added: “It is a nice moment, a special moment for me, of course. I look forward to being on the pitch tomorrow.
“(It will be) pretty strange. I think I’ve never been to the away dress cabin, so it will be the first time and on the other side of the strike. So, unlike I was used to it.
“But when the game will start, I think that all of these things will disappear and that we will all concentrate on the game.
“With the team we have, we are here and we win the victory. Hopefully it will be a good game.
“Hopefully (I get) a good reception of the fans. I think I always had a good connection to you, so I’m looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow.
“I got the manager’s question (also about my stay at home), but last week (and) I didn’t play a minute against Lille (and) from the manager’s point of view (he knew) that I would probably come here over there and here for a few minutes. That’s why I’m here. “
Klopp against slot
After an extremely impressive season, Liverpool is both the Premier League and the Champions League because the slot replaced the former former boss Jürgen Klopp.
The differences between the two said Gakpo: “Of course, this process started under Klopp. Now the slot is building on this foundation.
“He is a very down -to -earth manager. Very quiet, composed. You can live with him about football, live, everything.
“He is tactically so good and I think we fit well into his system. If you look at our midfield – Curtis, Ryan, Dominik, Wataru, Elliot, Alexis – you are all complete midfielder.
“You can do anything: race, win duels and find yourself between the lines. With Klopp we often played a long ball and then fought, but now that we play with more patience and shorter passes, you can fully see how much quality our midfield has. “
