Dirk Kuyt took to Twitter to congratulate compatriot Cody Gakpo on sealing a move to Liverpool, wishing him great success as he prepares to sport the same number that the Dutch legend wore during his stay at Anfield.
Cody Gakpo, welcome to @LFC. This number has brought me lots of magic, and I hope it will bring you the same kinda magic too. Congratulations and good luck. #LFC #LiverpoolFC pic.twitter.com/GwzF42Izbm
— Dirk Kuyt (@Kuyt) December 29, 2022
Kuyt spent six years at the club, during which time he scored 71 goals in 285 appearances in the No 18 shirt, which the ex-PSV forward will now wear under Jurgen Klopp.
Gakpo joined Liverpool in a £44million switch from the Eredivisie club, putting pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal at the Reds, although Klopp has been quick to claim that his arrival does not spell the end of Roberto Firmino’s stay on Merseyside.
https://twitter.com/LFC/status/1608205441195974656
Gakpo was one of the most crucial players for Louis Van Gaal’s Dutch national team in its run to the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The 23-year-old scored three goals at the quadrennial event.
At the club level, he has more goal involvement for PSV than Erling Haaland has for Manchester City.
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The Dutchman had plenty of interest in the summer transfer window from the Premier League with Manchester United among the suitors.
Gakpo is an Eindhoven-born player, who rose up through the ranks at his boyhood club and made his senior debut in the 2017-18 season.
He has represented the Dutch across age levels before making his senior national team debut in 2021 at the European Championship against North Macedonia.
Gakpo scored his first international goal in the World Cup qualifier against Montenegro
