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Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Cody Gakpo
Josh Lawless
Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Cody Gakpo
Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has confirmed he held talks with Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
Gakpo joined the Reds in a £35.4 million deal in January 2023, signing a five-year contract.
But he was heavily linked to United before that, specifically in the summer window when compatriot Ten Hag took the reins at United.
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There was strong interest from United and Gakpo has revealed that he spoke to Ten Hag and club representatives over a potential move.
However, a move did not materialise and United splashed out £86 million on Antony from Ajax.
Gakpo stayed at PSV for the first half of the season before ending up at Anfield.
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And having won his first trophy with the club last week, Gakpo has no regrets over the move he made.
"I think it was the summer before [I joined Liverpool] that I was in contact with the club [United]," he told Sky Sports.
"I spoke to the manager [Ten Hag] from them as well, obviously, he’s Dutch so yeah, I spoke to him as well.
“But at the end, it didn’t go through and that’s just it. In the winter, Liverpool came… best decision for me.”
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Gakpo scored twice against United in the 7-0 hammering at Anfield last season and has 18 goals in 63 games.
He's been part of a side struggling with injuries and having to use a number of young players as a result, namely in the Carabao Cup final.
Gakpo hailed Klopp for galvanising the group even with such a difficult situation.
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“One of Klopp’s specialities is giving us that belief we can do it, even though we’re having a tough time with injuries, without us having some really good players that are really important for the team,” Gakpo continued.
“We have managed through the situation, that’s because of the young players who have come in, the manager, his staff and the fans – the togetherness, this total picture, it gets us through.”
Liverpool are now four points clear at the top of the league after a last-gasp win over Nottingham Forest.
They take on champions Manchester City in a huge clash at Anfield next week.