Liverpool Cody Gakpo Signing Shows Superiority Over Manchester United 

Typically for the way Liverpool does its transfer business, the anticipated signing of Netherlands winger Cody Gakpo came as a pleasant surprise.

The Reds were not anticipated to make a move for a forward in the January window, but just as was the case with Luis Diaz last year, the opportunity arose to land a top talent that was simply too good to miss.

Gakpo has been on sparkling form this season netting nine goals and registering 12 assists in a mere 14 league games for PSV Eindhoven.

An impressive World Cup followed for his country where admirers included Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk.

"Hopefully Cody can go to the moon and back," said the towering center-half as Gakpo continued his scoring streak in the Middle East. "He is a very good player and a good boy too.

"What we see in training is what you see on the pitch. There is still so much potential and I hope he can carry on showing it for us. We are very happy with him,” he added.

The pair will become even better acquainted after PSV announced it “completed the negotiations on Boxing Day [December 26] and gave Gakpo permission to travel to England.”

The surprise will be significantly less pleasant a few miles east of where the Dutchman is headed.

Manchester United fans will be sickened the club has lost out on a player the Red Devils have been heavily linked with for some time.

Even more annoying will be the fact he was reportedly snatched from their grasp.

According to English newspaper The Daily Mirror, the transfer progressed in a manner very similar to Diaz who was headed to Tottenham Hotspur until Liverpool swooped in with a better offer.

“The deal is understood to cost a total of $54 million and while United had been negotiating around that figure, Anfield chiefs were willing to pay more of the fee upfront in a lump sum worth $44 million, an offer which appealed to PSV,” the outlet claimed.

“When officials at Old Trafford - who were keen on an alternative payment structure - learned of Liverpool's progress, they decided not to make a counter-offer and admit defeat,” it suggested.

It would be one thing if this was a one-off occurrence, there’s no shame in being outbid by someone willing to pay more.

But Liverpool beating United to the same targets when the Red Devils are the first to the negotiating table is becoming a trend.