Cody Gakpo has revealed that he wanted his Liverpool arrival picture to feature a Christmas tree in a nod to Virgil van Dijk’s unveiling five years ago.
Gakpo will officially become the Reds’ newest recruit when the transfer window opens on Sunday, joining from PSV Eindhoven for an initial £37m fee.
The forward has admitted that he spoke to Van Dijk about the Reds before signing on the dotted line, with the veteran defender giving a glowing review of the club.
When Van Dijk’s move to Liverpool from Southampton was announced in December 2017, he was unveiled with a freshly-printed shirt and stood next to a Christmas tree – a picture that has become iconic within club circles.
Ahead of his move to Anfield, fans made mock-ups of Gakpo in Van Dijk’s place, and Liverpool’s video tracking the 23-year-old’s first day at the club has revealed that he wanted the announcement to be ‘better’.
“Some supporters have already made versions of you stood in front of a tree,” the cameraman said to Gakpo while on his way to meet Jurgen Klopp.
“I didn’t see it!” Gakpo replied. “We have to make a better one.”
Gakpo was later unveiled stood alongside an elegant Christmas tree at Liverpool’s training ground.
He is in line to make his debut next week against Wolves, though Klopp admitted there is an outside chance he could feature beforehand in their trip to Brentford on Monday.
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Sulley Sahadu - Dec 31, 2022 2:31 am
Ho Ho Gakpo
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Crennel Romeo - Dec 31, 2022 2:58 am
Welcome to the land of Anfield gakpo
Liverpool fans around the world are delighted to have you in our team and I look forward to seeing you celebrate the goals
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Alan Best - Dec 31, 2022 3:05 am
United fans mudded, rushing to delete tweets and YT videos about him and to say how he’s overrated in a Farmers League. You love to see it!
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Kylian Cops - Dec 31, 2022 5:59 am
What squad number?!
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Naing Lin - Dec 31, 2022 6:31 am
We celebrate now
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Doullah Khan - Dec 31, 2022 6:47 am
GAKPO!!!!
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Nando Diearvin - Dec 31, 2022 10:48 am
Welcome Cody you gorgeous man.
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Sésë Thü - Dec 31, 2022 12:33 pm
He’s here and he’s beautiful
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Kwodwo Rahmsey - Dec 31, 2022 1:54 pm
I ❤️ you Liverpool yessss I do
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Holuwatoby Boy - Dec 31, 2022 3:45 pm
THEY RECREATED IT
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Firoomsaa Amiin - Dec 31, 2022 8:18 pm
Welcome to the greatest club in the world
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Abdi Desta - Dec 31, 2022 10:07 pm
Rejected United
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Sani Gamoji - Dec 31, 2022 10:13 pm
Already replaced Nunez
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Nuur Cabdi - Jan 1, 2023 12:13 am
WELCOME CODY
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Adam Ali - Jan 1, 2023 12:23 am
Damn
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Phyu Lay - Jan 1, 2023 4:11 am
It’s better late than never, thanks @LFC, for the present . Welcome Cody Gakpo #YNWA
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Stella Jones - Jan 1, 2023 6:53 am
Man City ain’t even bigger than arsenal
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Aphiwe Futhela - Jan 1, 2023 6:56 am
WHAT A PLAYER, CODY GAKPO IS A RED
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Haleepha Ahmad - Jan 1, 2023 8:12 am
WE ARE WINNING THE LEAGUE AND UCL AND FA CUP
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Sphølã Mãphölā - Jan 1, 2023 8:55 am
You will always be behind Milan
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Hassan Gusau - Jan 1, 2023 9:55 am
Trash
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Martlandniles Lyles - Jan 1, 2023 10:46 am
Fair play.
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Pule Ngcobo - Jan 1, 2023 11:05 am
Found a Darwin replacement quick…fair play
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Atla Trënah - Jan 1, 2023 1:34 pm
Give him the # 10. 18 is uninspiring
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Keletso Thalefo - Jan 1, 2023 2:24 pm
Welcome to the home of the champions we are Liverpool
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Abdul Quddus - Jan 1, 2023 4:24 pm
Get a better one in January and better means Bellingham
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Ahmad Mohd - Jan 1, 2023 4:51 pm
Liverpool is man utd’s dog
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Theo Emmanuel - Jan 1, 2023 5:08 pm
Why? Pls tell me, WHY? as a madrid fan, i am not scared by this. Good luck controling the midlefield with hendo and milner. Buy a midlefielder ffs
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Hein Watulangkow - Jan 1, 2023 6:14 pm
Codys fudging magic he wears a magic hat he could’ve signed for united but he said fudge that he wants to play for Jurgen in the famous red and white and when we win the premier league we’ll sing this song all night
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Winn Ko Ko - Jan 1, 2023 6:42 pm
Gakpo is the biggest waste of money. Just because he had a good world cup you bought him. Waste of money.
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Dusan Vlahovic - Jan 1, 2023 6:49 pm
Good times ahead
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Sih Cilok - Jan 1, 2023 7:38 pm
GAKPOOOOOO
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Gideon Boakye - Jan 1, 2023 10:51 pm
Virgil vibes, he’s gonna be just as good as him if not better
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Kay Vicky - Jan 2, 2023 2:52 am
Welcome Gakpo.
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Lucas Milot - Jan 2, 2023 4:31 am
Welcome to the biggest club in the world Gakpo
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Daniel Llorente - Jan 2, 2023 8:17 am
Let’s all laugh at united
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Naing Min - Jan 2, 2023 8:21 am
Welcome home
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Pvla Peram - Jan 2, 2023 11:18 am
Welcome Cody
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Rayton Moono - Jan 2, 2023 12:43 pm
Welcome to the best team in the world
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Billiardsq Mutai - Jan 2, 2023 1:00 pm
A young footballer ending his career early, a sad day for Gakpo and his family my condolences are with them
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Udzii Nakanjani - Jan 2, 2023 3:02 pm
Perfect Xmas gift
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - OG Pedro - Jan 2, 2023 4:38 pm
The good attempt, but all of great players were signed other clubs
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Eazibøy Jml - Jan 2, 2023 4:40 pm
Nothing like a Dutch player signing for Liverpool standing in front of a Christmas tree
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Naing Lin - Jan 2, 2023 6:24 pm
Welcome Cody Gakpo. You have come to the best place. #YNWA
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Molangi Mayiki - Jan 2, 2023 7:52 pm
Never heard of him…
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Muh'd Kabeer - Jan 2, 2023 8:06 pm
OH MY GOOG LORD. MAJESTIC
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Anïì Kīng - Jan 2, 2023 8:37 pm
Mid,flop
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Yung Ad - Jan 2, 2023 10:13 pm
Yeah with Klooo playing his 433. He will be on the bench. Or rotating with Darwin. Makes no sense. Top teams play their top players 90 minutes. Only Liverpool will rotate star players every game
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Scott Mctomany - Jan 2, 2023 10:54 pm
Carvajal will pocket Gakpo just like how he pocketed your old toy Luis Diaz in the final
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Otafiire Bamwiine - Jan 2, 2023 11:17 pm
It was a great deal that took less than an hour to be done.
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Min Thant - Jan 3, 2023 12:34 am
Amazing, welcome Cody
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Myint Naing - Jan 3, 2023 12:40 am
Yesssss Welcome To the best club in the world Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Mensah Aggrey - Jan 3, 2023 1:30 am
Welcome to the best club in the world, Cody
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Kuro Matthew - Jan 3, 2023 1:38 am
Merry Christmas @voke100 .You still be red na
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Cachique Silva - Jan 3, 2023 1:55 am
Welcome to #LFC, Cody!
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Arnold Lahto - Jan 3, 2023 4:21 am
Diaz and Jota are out Injured. Should give the team options asides the two previous mentioned.
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Naing Lin - Jan 3, 2023 5:20 am
I just come across this retweet pree’d ur ting n was pondering how u come across on her mad calm and u literally have 2 bill followers like what? N then I thought maybe it’s cos ur from south (I believe?) and support Liverpool :/
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Băng Sương - Jan 3, 2023 6:09 am
We don’t need to, shitPo will be another Nunez so nothing to worry about here’s!
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Ben Zachariah - Jan 3, 2023 6:46 am
Close your eyes United fans
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Nerasin Craze Jay - Jan 3, 2023 7:09 am
Don’t know why I’m getting Van Dijk Christmas signing vibes lmaooo
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Muheed Yahaya - Jan 3, 2023 7:18 am
WELCOME TO THE BEST CLUB IN THE WORLD
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Rhaní Nkazie - Jan 3, 2023 7:19 am
Support a team in a Islamic country them
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Manuél Amàechi - Jan 3, 2023 7:35 am
Way to alienate your Islamic fanbase. You’ve just lost 5 billion fans.
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Sheddy Mills - Jan 3, 2023 7:57 am
WHAT A ANNOUNCEMENT GAKPOOOOO
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Salah Okpara - Jan 3, 2023 10:03 am
Happy, Reds !!!
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Nemasisi Zwonaka - Jan 3, 2023 11:01 am
He will flop
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Gerald Osaretin - Jan 3, 2023 12:22 pm
Welcome
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Bukhobakhe Reus - Jan 3, 2023 12:33 pm
Better than Messi and Ronaldo will ever be
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Junaid Dollie - Jan 3, 2023 2:13 pm
Letssssss gooooo!
Cody Gakpo discusses replicating Virgil van Dijk's Liverpool unveiling - Alagbe Joshua - Jan 3, 2023 2:40 pm
GAKAPOOOOO