Danny Murphy believes Cody Gakpo will provide the boost Liverpool need and makes them a guarantee, at least, for Champions League football.
The 23-year-old is edging closer to becoming the Reds' first signing of the January transfer window. PSV Eindhoven confirmed on Monday that he would depart for a 'club record' fee, the ECHO understands it is for an initial £37m but could rise in excess of £40m.
Luis Diaz suffered a setback in his recovery from a knee injury, whilst Diogo Jota continues his rehabilitation after suffering a serious calf injury in the win over Manchester City.
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Currently, the Reds sit five points off the top four following their win over Aston Villa. Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League, moving 15 points clear of Jurgen Klopp's side.
Murphy has hailed the imminent arrival of the Dutchman and believes he is exactly what Liverpool need to compete in the Premier League as well as the Champions League.
"You told me first, I thought you were winding me up because I was like you, it was just a rumour that Man U, the Ten Hag link," he told the FIVE Podcast.
"I think Virgil van Dijk's going to have to get weighed in for this one, I think he's been in his ear telling him what an amazing club it is. Every Liverpool fan, if they didn't know about and haven't seen much about him, should be excited about him. I know we've got Diaz, Jota, Salah but you're talking about the future of Liverpool Football Club here.
"If you want to be competing at the top of the Champions League, winning Premier Leagues, you need five. City have always had loads competing, options, that's what we need especially with injuries. But Gakpo, what he is, he's a mixture of all the things you want in a striker or a winger, he's got two good feet, lightning quick, tall, athletic, strong."
Murphy added: "I was looking at his goalscoring ratio, I know it's only in Holland and we've seen them come over and struggle, but he's one in two-point-five, at the age of 23, he got 21 last season and already had 13 this season.
"He loves scoring goals, in the group games he got three for Holland. I think very few players come to Liverpool and don't improve under Klopp, the coaching methods, man-management, I've seen very few come and not improve during his tenure.
"So I'm really excited, desperately what we needed especially with the injuries to Jota and Diaz, I'm really excited to see him. I'm just shocked, I spoke to a friend of mine at Liverpool and he couldn't believe he was coming in. Irrelevant he was going to Manchester United, that just adds the icing on the cake.
"I think it's a wonderful signing at a time when Liverpool need a boost, there's been doubts that they're going to bounce back from that start, whether they're going to go on a run. I think now with him coming in, giving a lift, more importantly giving competition for places, it creates better performances.
"Liverpool to get top four, a 100 per cent for me. I don't say that being biased."
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