Former Liverpool defender José Enrique believes that the Reds last winter should have signed Leandro Trossard instead of Cody Gakpo. The the Dutch international reportedly made the switch from PSV to Anfield for at least 45 million euros last month, but was then unable to find his footing with the disappointingly performing Liverpool.
Partly due to the injuries of Diogo Jota, Luis Díaz and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool decided to go full for the arrival of Gakpo during the winter transfer window. However, the 23-year-old attacker went through a difficult early period. After having been dry for six games in a row, it was precisely against the rival and fellow townsman Everton that Gakpo hit the mark.
Enrique – who himself played 99 official matches for Liverpool between 2011 and 2016 – has his doubts about Gakpo. “He played much better against Everton as a false number 9, but the question is who will play there when Diogo Jota and Luis Díaz are back,” Enrique said. Genting Casino. “Liverpool then has three attacking options in that position, which is a luxury problem for Klopp. I’m not sure Gakpo will become a world-class player.”
“I think Gakpo is a good player, but Liverpool spent a lot of money on him,” continued Enrique. “I think he was the right player at the right time, but time will tell. “Leandro Trossard may be five years older, but for me personally, Liverpool would have been better off getting him.” Arsenal switched after missing out on Mykhaylo Mudryk and paid Brighton & Hove Albion 31 million euros last month to hire the Belgian attacker.
Enrique has high hopes for Trossard. “I’m done with the obsession with age. Premier League clubs are currently thinking only about the age of a purchase. If you are a top club, you should be able to sign a good 28-year-old player who can play at a decent level for three, four years. You can then select again. For me, Gakpo was a good purchase because he is young, could provide good grades and has experience at an international level. Hopefully I’m wrong that Trossard would have been the better option, but I see Gakpo more as a fake number 9 than a winger.”