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“Go to Liverpool”: Ex-Netherlands international makes his feelings clear on Arsenal target Cody Gakpo

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By Pranav Kannan

Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel tells Arsenal target Cody Gakpo which club to join

In an interview with the Athletic (Subscription Required), former Netherlands international and Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has clarified his feelings on Arsenal target Cody Gakpo and tells him which club to join next.

Gakpo is a name that has been doing the rounds for quite some time now. The Dutch forward was highly regarded for his exploits in the Eredivisie in the past couple of seasons and it has only increased since.

The Dutch forward has some unbelievable stats for club and country and it is absolutely no surprise that he is linked to a number of top clubs. However, Gakpo has a very huge decision to make.

Gakpo has been setting it alight in the biggest competition there is, the World Cup and his performances have been sensational. Three goals in three games for the Netherlands and he has been their best player along with Frenkie de Jong.

Having shown what he is capable of at the club level, this World Cup is just an indication that Gakpo can do it at the biggest stage and might not struggle to adapt to the top leagues after all.

The 23-year-old has played 32 games for club and country across all competitions this season, scoring 18 goals and providing 18 assists. These numbers are thoroughly world-class and shows how good a player Gakpo is.

The Netherlands' Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring a goal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)
The Netherlands’ Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring a goal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking about his talented countryman, here is what Ryan Babel had to say about where Gakpo should be going.

“You see him linked to clubs in England, such as Manchester United. He has shown enough quality that he is ready for the next step, whether itโ€™s in January or next summer”

“As a Liverpool fan, I would tell him to go to Liverpool if they make an approach! Arsenal would also be an incredible team for him”

Gakpo would be a great signing for Liverpool on paper if we consider his versatility, pedigree, ag, and ability. Although he has largely played as a left-winger for his club, the Dutch forward has shown at the World Cup that he is capable of playing anywhere across the front line.

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Gakpo is still young and developing and who better than a manager like Jurgen Klopp to take him to the next level? The only hurdle would be where he fits in the short term. We have Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Harvey Elliott, and Fabio Carvalho all vying for minutes.

In the long run, there could be a space that opens up but for now, it seems hard to see where he would fit.