Cody Gakpo’s Break of Jurgen Klopp’s Rule Raises Eyebrows Ahead of Liverpool vs Everton Clash

In a curious turn of events, Cody Gakpo, the Dutch winger, found himself at the center of attention for apparently breaking one of Jurgen Klopp’s revered rules ahead of Liverpool’s clash against Everton.

Gakpo’s transfer to Anfield from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for a reported £44 million was met with excitement from fans. However, during one of his initial matches for Liverpool, Gakpo raised eyebrows as he was seen touching the iconic ‘This Is Anfield’ sign while walking onto the pitch.

This action seemed to defy one of Klopp’s ‘golden rules’ – players should not touch the sign until they have won something at the club, as it symbolizes a mark of respect.

Klopp had previously emphasized this sentiment, stating, “I’ve told my players not to touch the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign until they win something. It’s a sign of respect.”

Echoing this sentiment, midfielder Thiago Alcantara highlighted the significance of the sign, explaining, “To touch this symbol we have to deserve it and to win all the trophies we can.”

Nevertheless, Gakpo might soon have the opportunity to touch the sign officially if Liverpool secures victory against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final later this month. With the Reds still in contention for multiple trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League, Gakpo’s chance to honor the tradition may not be far off.

Reflecting on his time at Liverpool, Gakpo expressed his happiness with the club, describing it as a “big family” and praising the supporters for their unwavering passion.

As Liverpool prepares to face Burnley in their upcoming Premier League fixture at Anfield, all eyes will be on Gakpo and whether he continues to adhere to Klopp’s revered tradition or if he will have the opportunity to touch the iconic ‘This Is Anfield’ sign in the near future.