Liverpool forward, Cody Gakpo says he almost joined Manchester United in 2022 before Red Devils decided to sign Antony instead.
The Dutch front Gakpo eventually joined Liverpool in January 2023 and was in good form for the Reds this term, scoring 14 goals in all matches.
The 25 -year -old is a regular on the Arne Slot side and a favorite fan at Anfield. On the contrary, Antony is currently a loan to Real Betis after a tiring hour of Ajax’s £ 86m.
But things could have progressed very differently had sealed Gakpo a move to Old Trafford from PSV Eindhoven in 2022.
Speaking at the players’ tribune, Gakpo said: “About that time (2022), I began to hear rumors of a move in England. Now, everyone who knows me knows that I am a man who is guided by my faith.
“So, one day, I had a meeting with the pastor from my church back to the Netherlands, and brought a friend who was a pastor somewhere else.
“This other pastor said,” Can I tell you something? “I said of course. This was before any big club they had knocked on my door. And he said that God told him I would go to Liverpool. I laughed it like, yes, fine, we’ll see about it. Manchester United, so I thought, we’ll see.
“Then, in the summer of 2022, United went for Antony. I was like, what should I do? At this point I could go to Leeds, Southampton, or could I stay on PSV.
“I prayed and asked God for guidance. But you see, I had to make sure I received his message.
“So I said, if I rated only once, I will go to Southampton …. If I rating twice, I’ll go to Leeds …. If I rating three times, I’ll stay.
“The next day we played and marked twice. I also participated in a third target – and at first it was named as its own goal. Then I went out. So, two goals, right? I thought, ah, okay, it’s Linds. I was a peaceful with my decision.
Cody Gakpo expects to experience a “pretty odd” feeling when he comes out on PSV Eindhoven as an opposition player tomorrow night
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 28 2025
“As I was sitting on the bench, I told my friend, Jordan Teze, who now plays for Monaco, all the story. It was like,” If God wants to stay, this goal will be awarded you. “It was like throwing a coin Waiting to see what they decided to go to every way!
“It’s a funny story, but somehow, this is a very important part of the puzzle. Fortunately God remained because he allowed me to play in the World Cup, which led to Liverpool.”
Return psv
Gakpo returns to former Club PSV on Wednesday night as part of a youthful Reds team for the Champions League final game.
He is one of Liverpool’s few senior players to make the trip and looks forward to returning to the stadium where he made his name.
He added: “It’s a beautiful moment, a special moment for me, of course. I am looking forward to being on the pitch tomorrow.
“(It will be) quite strange. I think I was never in the long dressing room, so it will be the first time and on the other side of the departure. So, otherwise I was used to.
“But when the game starts I think all these things will fade away and we will all focus on the game.
“With the team we have, we’re here and going for the win. Hopefully it will be a good game.
“Let’s hope that (I take) a good welcome from the fans. I think I always had a good relationship with them, so I look forward to seeing them again tomorrow.
“I got the question from the manager (to stay at home), but I didn’t play a minute against Lille last week (and) and from the director’s point of view (he knew) that I probably would like to come here and take a few minutes here . So I’m here. “
Klopp vs reception
Liverpool sat the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League after an extremely impressive season after the reception replaced former boss Jurgen Klopp.
Concerning the differences between the two, Gakpo said: “This process, of course, started under KLOPP. Now, the reception is built in this institution.
“It’s a lot under the earth. Very calm, complex. You can talk to him about football, life, whatever.
“They’re so good regularly and I think we fit well in his system. If you look at our middle section – Curtis, Ryan, Dominik, Wataru, Elliot, Alexis – they are all complete middle -aged.
“They can do it all: run, win duels and find each other between the lines. With Klopp we will more often play a long ball and then fight, but now we play with more patience and smaller passages , you can fully see how much quality the middle level has. “
