Jurgen Klopp exit predicted as Cody Gakpo told he’s made a mistake joining Liverpool whose spirit has ‘gone’
A former Dutch manager has claimed Cody Gakpo has joined Liverpool at the wrong time, and suggested Jurgen Klopp may soon depart the Reds.
Liverpool lived up to their reputation as smooth operators in the transfer market when hijacking Man Utd’s move for Gakpo.
The Dutchman, 23, had spoken with United boss Erik ten Hag on multiple occasions last summer. He even went on record to state he expected Old Trafford to be his new home.
However, United’s restricted budget for the winter window curbed their ambition. When they failed to lodge any official bids for Gakpo, Liverpool pounced.
The former PSV Eindhoven star debuted against Wolves in a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Gakpo’s own personal display was an encouraging, albeit low-key one, though the warning signs for the team were evident once again.
Liverpool were forced into a replay by a much-changed Wolves side despite Klopp fielding his strongest possible eleven, injuries permitting.
The Reds have struggled mightily this season and face a desperate scrap just to secure Champions League football.
Klopp only signed a new deal last April that committed his future on Merseyside until 2026.
However, speaking to soccernews.nl, former PSV Eindhoven manager, Aad de Mos, predicted Klopp’s time will soon be up.
Gakpo in, but Klopp out?
De Mos managed PSV between 1993-95 as part of a 28-year coaching career between 1982-2010.
The experienced Dutchman reckons Liverpool’s spirit is “gone” at present and stressed it’s a poor time for a younger player like Gakpo to join the team.
He also, rather curiously, predicted Klopp could soon depart.
“He (Gakpo) will come at a time when the team is disappearing a bit”, said De Mos.
“The spirit is gone and the position is no longer in the top five… Just like Chelsea. Maybe just a little too late to rejuvenate.
“Yes, then you also get all that misery, perhaps with a manager (Klopp) who is about to leave.
“It is not the time that so many young players are joining: ‘we are going to rejuvenate the team and we are not looking for the first five places there’.
“So I don’t know if the time is right to go to Liverpool.”
Liverpool exit unlikely
There’s been no indication Klopp is poised to abandon the struggling Reds, quite the contrary.
Klopp has appeared more up for the fight than many of his players this season. The squad is still in the early phases of a regeneration, with crucial midfield buys to take priority in 2023. Jude Bellingham remains the club’s primary focus in that regard.
What’s more, owners FSG are open to outside investment and the transfer purse strings could be loosened if new partners are found.
De Mos’ prediction, at least for the time being, appears a premature one.
