Klopp says Gakpo signing may affect transfer activity as Liverpool face Leicester

Dutch forward cannot start against Foxes in Premier League as Reds struggle with injuries to Jota, Diaz and Firmino

Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (L) fights for the ball with Netherlands' forward #08 Cody Gakpo during the Qatar 2022 World Cup quarter-final football match between The Netherlands and Argentina at Lusail Stadium, north of Doha on December 9, 2022. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)

Louis van Gaal, coach of Netherlands, consoles Cody Gakpo after the loss against Argentina. Getty

Cody Gakpo falls over Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes. AFP

Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring the opening goal against Senegal. AP

Cody Gakpo with teammate Daley Blind after scoring against Ecuador. EPA

PSV Eindhoven's Cody Gakpo in action against Arsenal's Takehiro Tomiyasu in the Europa League in October. Reuters

Leicester's Wesley Fofana, left, and PSV's Cody Gakpo in April, 2022. AP

Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven. Getty

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted the arrival of PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo could limit his transfer dealings in the January window.

The Anfield club, who face Leicester City at home in the Premier League on Friday, paid £40 million to steal the Netherlands star from under the noses of rivals Manchester United.

The 23-year-old forward shone for his country at the World Cup, scoring three goals in the group stage.

It is believed that his national team captain Virgil van Dijk played a big role in persuading Gakpo to join him at Anfield rather than moving to Old Trafford, where United's Dutch boss Erik ten Hag is a big admirer.

But the signing means Liverpool may have less to spend on other priorities such as strengthening their midfield.

“The money you spend impacts on the money you can spend. Same for anyone,” Klopp said.

“But we know what we want to do and see if we can do it. It’s about money of course but it’s more about how it always was – the right players. We are really, really happy we got Cody.

“It’s about timing and getting players in at the right moment. He always made the next step.

“We believe in our process, when players, especially offensive ones, they all make a step forward because of the way we work and can help them.”

Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League, five points off a top-four place, but will look to continue their recent good form in the league when they take on Leicester.

The Reds beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park on Boxing Day on their return to action after the World Cup break. It was their third straight win in the league as they look to move up into a Champions League spot.

Klopp's side have injury problems, though, with forwards Luis Diaz, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota all sidelined.

Gakpo cannot play against Leicester as he can only officially sign for the club when the transfer window opens on January 1.

Aston Villa v Liverpool player ratings

ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Robin Olsen 5 – Positioned well to stop Darwin Nunez in the first half, but an overall disappointing night with three goals conceded. Reuters

Ashley Young 5 – Struggled to deal with the overlapping runs of Andy Robertson. Rash with his passing out from the back. EPA

Tyrone Mings 5 – Made some positive interventions but had to do better to close down the space for Liverpool’s third goal. Reuters

Ezri Konsa 4 – Sloppy at times with his defensive work and wasn’t able to match Darwin Nunez’s movement. PA

Lucas Digne 5 – Unconvincing with his work for the majority of the match, and that was exemplified by when he was beaten far too easily by Ben Doak late-on. AP

John McGinn 5 – Worked hard throughout the match but had to do much better with his chance in the second half. It looked as though he lost sight of the ball at the back post. Reuters

Boubacar Kamara 6 – A strong display from Kamara who displayed his passing range on the day. Key in several of Villa’s best chances. PA

Douglas Luiz 4 - Sloppy in the challenge which saw him commit a number of fouls. PA

Leon Bailey 4 – Fluffed his lines early-on with a glowing chance for Villa. Struggled in the battle against Andy Robertson. AFP

Emiliano Buendia 6 – Came in and out of the game in spells, but put in some promising crosses that Liverpool struggled to deal with. AP

Ollie Watkins 6 – Finally got his goal after he was presented with a number of chances. Had the ball in the back of the net but was marginally offside. Reuters

SUBS: Leander Dendoncker (Bailey 86') N/A – On for Bailey as part of a late triple substitution. Getty

Philippe Coutinho (Kamara 86’) N/R – Not enough time for the former Liverpool star make an impact on the game. Reuters

Danny Ings (Buendia 86’) N/R – Another former Liverpool player, the striker should have been introduced earlier. AP

LIVERPOOL RATINGS: Alisson 7 – The Brazil international was assured between the posts, but Aston Villa should have done more with their chances from promising areas. Reuters

Trent Alexander-Arnold 8 – A sublime pass with the outside of his foot was crucial in Liverpool’s opener, with the England international showing all of his quality at Villa Park. Getty

Joel Matip 6 – Passed the ball out from the back well but could have been more aware on occasions against Watkins’ movement. AFP

Virgil van Dijk 8 – Read the play well to intervene against Watkins and doubled Liverpool’s lead with a volley from inside the box. PA

Andy Robertson 8 – A standout performer as Robertson regularly profited from space down the left flank. Made two big chances in the opening five minutes and the second one found Salah who scored. Now holds the record for most assists for a defender in Premier League history with 54. Reuters

Jordan Henderson 7 – Commanded the midfield well and rarely made the wrong decision. A solid showing from the Liverpool captain. Reuters

Fabinho 7 – Aggressive in the challenge and made it difficult for Aston Villa to create from central areas. PA

Thiago Alcantara 6 – Struggled to deal with the rise in intensity from Aston Villa in the second half, and was eventually replaced. EPA

Mohamed Salah 8 – A goal and an assist for the Liverpool talisman, who looked sharp in the return to Premier League action. AP

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 6 – A positive performance from Oxlade-Chamberlain who can build on his work against Villa. Worked hard and was unlucky with some of his passes. Reuters

Darwin Nunez 6 – Missed countless chances but made things happen as usual. His work-rate was vital in Liverpool’s goal that sealed the game, after smashing the ball into a dangerous area. Reuters

SUBS: Naby Keita (Thiago 66’) 6 - Battled well in midfield. A poor effort on goal saw him blast the ball over the bar. PA

Harvey Elliott (Oxlade-Chamberlain 66’) 6 – Kept things ticking over when in possession and combined well with Robertson. Getty

Joe Gomez (Alexander-Arnold 79’) N/R - Faultless when brought on for the final stage of the game. AFP

Stefan Bajcetic (Henderson 79') 7 – Showed excellent composure to score just two minutes after coming on. EPA

Ben Doak (Nunez 87’) N/R – On for Nunez in the final minutes in what was a debut for the 17-year-old. Getty

Leicester also face injury issues, with midfielder James Maddison set to miss Friday's game due to a knee injury.

Maddison went off after scoring in Leicester's 2-0 win at West Ham United before the World Cup and, while he was part of England's squad in Qatar, he did not play.

"Maddison won't be available for the game," Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers said on Wednesday. "He was with (club doctor) Mark Waller getting some special advice in London so I'll wait to hear from them later on.

"He hasn't trained with the squad. He was clearly getting treatment out (in Qatar) and he and the medical team deemed him OK to train. He was available for games for England.

"He's come back, looked to do some work, and felt a pain in a different part of his knee."

Maddison had been in superb form for 13th-placed Leicester this season with seven goals and four assists in the league.

Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet will also miss the Liverpool game having suffered a knock early in Leicester's 3-0 defeat by Newcastle United on Monday after replacing Maddison in the starting line-up.