Michael Owen says he is hoping that Liverpool’s January transfer deal for Cody Gakpo doesn’t affect Jurgen Klopp’s side in signing Jude Bellingham in the summer.
After Liverpool’s Boxing Day win at Villa Park, PSV confirmed on Twitter that they have agreed on a deal to sell their 23-year-old forward to the Reds.
Former England striker Owen described Gakpo’s arrival as a ‘very good signing’, but he did point towards the club’s issues in the middle of the park.
Gakpo was one of the stars of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scoring in every group game for The Netherlands before they were knocked out in a ruthless fashion during the quarter-final stages by eventual winners Argentina.
Nonetheless, when the news broke about Gakpo, whilst Owen liked the signing, he did question what this now means for Bellingham, as he told Premier League Productions MatchDay Extra (26/12/22 at 10:55 pm).
“Initial reaction is that Liverpool have been desperate for a midfielder for some time now, it’s an ageing midfield, it’s a good midfield, but ageing,” said Owen.
“A midfielder has been key for some time. I just hope it doesn’t mean that Jude Bellingham isn’t going to be somebody on the wishlist come the summer.
“But first thing is first, Gakpo had a fantastic World Cup. 23-year-old, it brings the age of the team down, it looks like a very good signing.”
GAKPO’S MESSAGE TO VAN DIJK AFTER WIN AT ASTON VILLA
Well, Liverpool’s new man was watching on as they recorded a win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day because he sent clapping and fire emojis to Virgil van Dijk following his performance in the Midlands.
Van Dijk scored Liverpool’s second goal of the game yesterday, as the Merseyside club started their return to Premier League action with all three points.
With Luis Diaz suffering a fresh injury during the World Cup break, Diogo Jota still a long way off and Roberto Firmino also on the sidelines.
Then Gakpo, who can play across the front three, will play a much more important role much sooner than he thinks.
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