Dirk Kuijt is convinced that Cody Gakpo will succeed at Liverpool. He is also hopeful that his ex-club can finish in the top four of the Premier League this season. In conversation with Football International says the Katwijker to see that Jürgen Klopp’s team is now in a transition to a new team and that it needs time. Despite Gakpo’s hesitant start at the Reds, Kuijt is not worried about his future. “I think he’s a typical Liverpool player.”
Kuijt still has a good relationship with the club where he was under contract between August 2006 and July 2012. He has already sold his home in Liverpool, which Kuijt rented out to Georginio Wijnaldum, among others, when the latter was still playing in Merseyside. “But my heart is still in Liverpool.” This is also evident from the work that Kuijt still performs for his old club. For example, he recently flew to Denmark with ex-Liverpool goalkeeper David James to visit the Danish fan base of the Reds.
In 2023, things do not really go smoothly with Liverpool’s performance, Kuijt also sees. However, he is confident that Klopp can turn things around and finish the season strong. “Liverpool have performed very well under Klopp for years, but they are now in a transition to a new team. We should also not forget how important someone like Sadio Mane was before, in collaboration with Mohamed Salah. Both offensively and defensively. Together they put so much energy into direct pressure. Now other guys have to pick it up.”
Liverpool is currently eighth in the Premier League. With a view to qualifying for the Champions League, that is far from ideal. “If everyone at Liverpool is fit, I can see them in the top four. For the new guys, such as Gakpo and Darwin Núñez, it is still a matter of getting used to the Premier League and Klopp’s way of playing,” says Kuijt. He personally experienced how tough the English competition can be. “In my first months at Liverpool I also lost six, seven kilos, just because of the intensity of English football.” The 104-time international therefore does not think it is surprising that Gakpo has to get used to the difference between PSV and Liverpool.
“Some guys need time to settle. I hope Cody finds his place. I think he is a typical Liverpool player: a lot of positive energy, he puts in a lot of work and he can play in several positions. I have had many great matches with number 18 and I hope that the same will happen to him. It’s good for his confidence that he’s going to score now. You can only really judge him at the start of next season.”