What can Cody Gakpo offer to Liverpool in the second half of the season?

He was one of the standout stars of the World Cup in Qatar, helping his country to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by eventual winners Argentina, and was PSV Eindhoven's main man during the first half of the season in the Eredivisie.

It looked as if he was going to be joining rivals Manchester United this month. But with the help of his compatriot Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo is now donning the colours of Liverpool, after joining the club from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for a fee between 40-50m Euros and is set to make his debut in the Reds third round FA Cup clash against Wolves on Saturday evening. But what can the Dutchman offer to Jurgen Klopp's side, as they look to get back on track in the second half of the season?

ANOTHER FORWARD THREAT

Gakpo's stock this season has continued to rise even before his move to Liverpool was announced. He became the first Dutchman to score in the first 3 games of a World Cup tournament, where he was mainly deployed by former United boss Louis Van Gaal as an out and out number 9. Meanwhile, PSV often deployed him on the left in a 4-2-3-1 system where he was allowed to cut inside and offer support to the striker, whether it being Xavi Simons or Luuk De Jong in Ruud Van Nistelrooy's system.

The 23-year-old had recorded 9 goals and 14 assists for PSV in 14 appearances before the World Cup break in November and adds to Liverpool's talented attacking depth and gives them another option in the forward line, with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota still currently injured and unavailable.

THE FORWARD REPLACEMENT FOR FIRMINO?

The signing of Gakpo also raises questions over the long-term future of Liverpool's current number 9 Roberto Firmino. The 31-year-old Brazilian's contract with the Reds expires at the end of the current season and has interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia as reported by the Daily Mail. With the arrival of Uruguayan Darwin Nunez in the summer and now the capture of Gakpo, who lead the line brilliantly for the Dutch at the World Cup in Qatar, some could suggest that Klopp is planning to use Gakpo as an out-and-out striker through the middle rather than as a winger.

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, the club have offered Firmino a short-term deal to extend his stay with the Reds, and Jurgen Klopp wants him to stay, but the Brazilian has not made his mind up about whether to stay at Liverpool or move onto pastures new.

However, one of the reasons why Manchester United didn't sign the Dutchman this January, despite being consistently linked with him through the World Cup, was because scouts felt Gakpo was too similar to other forwards at the club, as they feel that Gakpo is more of an out and out goalscoring winger that can play as a striker rather than a natural number 9. United felt this was too similar that Gakpo was in the mould of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

But Klopp will feel that Cody will be able to play anywhere across the front three, which is a huge bonus for Liverpool, as it gives a decent option to use alongside the likes of Jota, Nunez, Firmino, Salah and Luis Diaz.

KLOPP - "A JOY TO WATCH" IN TRAINING

In Jurgen Klopp's pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup 3rd round tie against Wolves this evening, he told liverpoolfc.com that the Dutchman is in contention to play.

"Yes, he is in contention. He will be involved in the squad, of course. How exactly we will have to decide in the next few hours, but that's fine.

"First impressions of him are brilliant. With all these things, injured strikers and stuff like this, then you see a guy who is obviously a natural footballer on the pitch and knows where the goal is, it is a lift for everybody.

"So, that's cool and somehow he will be involved, definitely."

Klopp also stated that it was both the club's decision as well as Cody's himself to join Liverpool.

"Both, I think. I think there were easier moments, if you want, to join Liverpool.

But what I really like about this is he's obviously a guy who doesn’t want to jump on the running train, he wants to push the train.

I really like the fact he decided pretty quickly, ‘Yeah, that's the right club for me’ and that speaks volumes about him."

How much of a positive impact will Cody Gakpo have at Liverpool Reds fans?

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Liverpool have got themselves a player. Gakpo was one of my standout players from the World Cup in Qatar and always expected him to earn a big money move. He is quick, direct and will get Reds fans off their seats. If he can have the same sort of impact that Luis Diaz had when he first joined the club this time last year, he'll instantly become a fans favourite at Anfield. Gakpo also offers a different option and makes Liverpool's attack more frightening - especially when you still have Jota and Diaz to return from their respective injuries.