Cody Gakpo receives hero’s welcome as he returns to PSV to say goodbye

Liverpool star Cody Gakpo received a spine-tingling hero’s welcome on his return to PSV Eindhoven.

Dutchman Gakpo left his boyhood club in the January transfer window after agreeing to join Premier League side Liverpool in a deal worth £45 million.

The 23-year-old has been at PSV since 2007 and came through the ranks as a talented youngster.

Gakpo made his first team debut in 2018 and went on to captain the side whilst making 159 appearances, scoring 55 goals.

On Thursday night, Gakpo returned to Eindhoven and was serenaded by the PSV fans. You can watch the footage below.

Fans in the Philips Stadion chanted the song ‘Cody Gakpo – Eindhovenaar!’ as Gakpo responded by clapping and making a heart gesture towards the crowd.

Gakpo received a farewell present before the crowd also unveiled a stunning tifo which had Gakpo celebrating with the word ‘Eindhovenaar’ on it.

However, Gakpo would not have enjoyed the match as PSV were knocked out of the Europa League by Spanish La Liga side Sevilla.

Despite goals from Luuk De Jong and Fabio Silva sealing a 2-0 win on the night, Sevilla went through on aggregate after winning the first leg 3-0 in Spain.

Gakpo was involved for Liverpool on Tuesday night as they were thrashed 5-2 by Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Alamy

The forward’s former manager, Ruud van Nistelrooy did praise Gakpo’s performance against the reigning European champions.

Van Nistelrooy said: “I thought Cody [Gakpo] was strong. Just like all of Liverpool in the first 20 minutes. They were blowing away Real Madrid and Cody was strong.

“He had some great ball-saving moments, playing the ball to the side and moving well. Cody also had some switching moments after ball loss, winning the ball back and looked very sharp. But that was also the case against Newcastle United and in the derby against Everton. You see he adapts quickly to that level.”

Will Gakpo be a success at Liverpool? Only time will tell.