Gakpo is the man tasked with filling Mane’s boots at Liverpool – and his SIZE 12 feet should be perfect for the job

CODY GAKPO’S goal involvements this season is three more than Erling Haaland’s.

The 23-year-old’s decision to snub Southampton and Leeds in the summer has paid off with his stock growing considerably in the last four months.

He has notched 13 goals and 17 assists for PSV in all competitions this season – three more than Manchester City hitman Haaland’s 24 goals and three assists.

And then in Qatar his capital grew even more by becoming the first Dutch player to score in all three group stage matches at a World Cup.

He is also the only player in Europe’s top 10 leagues with both 20+ goals and 20+ assists since the beginning of last season after notching 21 goals and 25 assists in 21 league games.

There was only supposed to be one winner in the race for his signature this summer, with Gakpo even hinting he expected long-term admirers Manchester United to make a move for him in January.

But Liverpool’s swift Boxing Day raid on their bitter-rivals’ biggest target left the Red Devils red faced before the window even opened.

But when a player with those numbers is available for a cut-price £40million, you can see why Jurgen Klopp was eager to get a deal done so quickly.

Gakpo’s biggest admirer at Anfield is assistant boss Pep Lijnders who believes his fellow countryman can fill the boots left by Sadio Mane.

Predominantly a left-winger, the 23-year-old will be a direct replacement for Diaz and Jota in the short term.

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But his versatility will be a gift for boss Jurgen Klopp when he has all of his attacking options available.

Capable of leading the line or playing as a number 10, the Eindhoven-born ace could fill in for Darwin Nunez or be a long-term replacement for the ageing Roberto Firmino.

Gakpo’s signature move is using his pace and direct dribbling style to cut in on his favoured right foot.

But standing at 6ft4 he has the physical profile to be as much of a dangerman in the box than on the flank.

His humongous size 12 feet allows him to be an accomplished crosser, set-piece taker and finisher.

And with a quarter of his last 16 goals for PSV coming from outside the box, Gakpo is capable of bringing some Philippe Coutinho magic back to Anfield.

His mother played rugby for Holland and his brothers have tried their hands at careers in football too.

But with his father being an ex-Togan professional footballer, he used to be teased as a child that his dad would always be better than him.

That will no longer be the case if he can replicate some of his PSV form in a Liverpool shirt.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk