‘It’s a pity’: Player disappointed to see £37m Liverpool deal happen

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Cody Gakpo’s £37 million move to Premier League giants Liverpool has come as a disappointment to PSV youngster Shurandy Sambo, telling Eindhoven Dagblad that he was looking forward to testing himself against the Dutch international. 

On Saturday evening, PSV will take to the field for the first time since the World Cup break, marking the Eredivisie’s return with a home clash against Sparta Rotterdam.

Right-back Sambo joined Sparta on loan over the summer, and is in line to start against his parent club at the Philips Stadium. But if you thought that the 21-year-old would be pleased to avoid coming up against the most feared forward in Dutch football, think again. 

“I still watch every PSV game and talk to a number of guys from the club a lot,” explains Sambo. “Cody is also part of that, but he’s left.

“It’s a pity he didn’t wait a while with his transfer, because I would have loved to play against him. But hopefully he will have a wonderful time (at Liverpool).” 

Cody Gakpo could make Liverpool debut in FA Cup 3rd round

No one in the Eredivisie scored more goals (nine) or provided more assists (12) than Gakpo during the first half of the campaign. How PSV respond to the 23-year-old’s departure is likely to make or break their hopes of a first league title since 2018; their well-publicised financial problems limiting PSV’s ability to bring in a high-quality replacement ahead of February’s transfer deadline. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, has confirmed that Gakpo could make his Reds debut during Saturday’s FA Cup third round clash with Wolves at Anfield. 

“Cody has been in for two full training days,” Klopp tells the Liverpool Echo. “And is a joy to watch to be honest. In our situation, it’s really nice to have a player who is pretty natural in a lot of things and knows where the goal is. He is obviously full of joy, enjoying each second at the moment. 

“He’s a good footballer, good in small spaces, likes to shoot from distance. A good finisher and dribbler. It is nice to see in real life, in front of you.

“He looks really promising and fit. The (training) sessions are intense for him because they’re different. I’m very positive about him. Coming from a new league is always difficult, but we expect a positive impact.”