'It is a gift' - Liverpool star Cody Gakpo reveals the key lesson he learned from Jurgen Klopp before German's emotional departure

Gakpo has paid tribute to Klopp after waving an emotional farewell to the German at the end of the season. Klopp brought Gakpo to Liverpool in January 2023 from PSV and the Dutchman has already picked up his first trophy with the Reds, winning the League Cup back in February. The trophy was also Klopp's last as Liverpool manager and one the German described as the "most special" of his time at the club.

Klopp's impact at Liverpool will be felt for a long time to come after also winning the Premier League and the Champions League during his nine years at Anfield. Gakpo has revealed just how important Klopp was to the players and the one "gift" the German gave him that has helped him enormously in his career.

He told De Telegraaf: "If you look at the impact he has had on the club, the fans, the players, many of whom have experienced him for much longer than I have these one and a half years: that has been very valuable to everyone,” he said.

“The most important thing I learned from him? That you don’t have to prove anything to anyone but yourself. When that really hit me? That is not a specific moment, but it is a gift that he was able to trigger us as players in a different way every time, to give just an extra percentage or one and a half. That was special.”

Arne Slot has replaced Klopp at the helm and has big shoes to fill at Anfield. Gakpo says he's yet to speak to his new manager but added that when he came up against the Dutchman previously with Feyenoord "he always made it very difficult for us at PSV."