One former Netherlands international believes that moving to Tottenham Hotspur would get the best out of the Liverpool attacker
Tottenham would like to sign Cody Gakpo from Liverpool(Image: Francois Nel/Getty Images)
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Ruud Gullit believes Cody Gakpo will return to the player he was if Tottenham can prise him away from Liverpool in the transfer window.
The 27-year-old is one of the attackers on Roberto De Zerbi's wishlist this summer, along with Manchester City stars Savinho and Omar Marmoush among others. Gakpo had a big World Cup for the Netherlands, despite their premature exit, and across their tournament and their qualification group, the attacker scored seven goals and provided five assists.
Spurs would have to spend big money to convince Liverpool to part company with Gakpo and Andoni Iraola would also need to sign a replacement, with PSG's Bradley Barcola a target for them.
Gakpo was in and out of Liverpool's team last season, being used mainly from the bench in their Champions League fixtures but starting more of the Premier League games in the second half of the season. He netted nine goals for the Reds and laid on six assists.
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Dutch legend Gullit believes that a move to work with someone who put an arm around the attacker, like De Zerbi, without the constant threat of being benched after any mistake would see Gakpo restored to the player who scored 18 goals with seven assists the previous season as Liverpool won the title.
"His main issue has been consistency of minutes – in one week, out the next. I still rate him highly. During their title-winning campaign, he was superb," Gullit told NY Sports Day.
"Gakpo needs a manager who shows complete faith in him and grants him the freedom to make mistakes without an immediate benching. When he plays with confidence, he has proven how impactful he is for Liverpool."