Liverpool moved for Gakpo before he was ‘unaffordable’, explains Klopp

Manager said €40m move for Dutchman was ‘all about timing’

NEW MAN IN: Cody Gakpo.

Jürgen Klopp has said Cody Gakpo would have been “unaffordable” had Liverpool waited to secure his signature and there remains money available for further signings in the January window.

The Netherlands’ World Cup star will officially become a Liverpool player on 1 January after the Anfield club beat off rival interest to seal his transfer from PSV Eindhoven for an initial €40m, rising to €50m. Klopp believes Liverpool had to bring forward plans to sign the 23-year-old as his rate of development could have put him out of financial reach in the near future.