Former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt sent a message to new signing Cody Gakpo after he was handed his old number 18 shirt.
The Reds confirmed the signing of the Netherlands ace on this week in a deal worth around £40million after a blistering start to the season with PSV Eindhoven.
He then replicated his excellent club form on the grandest stage and was arguably the Netherlands’ top performer during their surge to the World Cup quarter-finals.
Gakpo had been heavily linked with a switch to bitter rivals Manchester United but it was Jurgen Klopp who swooped fast to lure the Dutchman to Anfield.
Kuyt wore the number 18 shirt during his six-year stint on Merseyside before moving to Fenerbahce in 2012.
Hearing of the news, the former Reds favourite took to social media to send his best wishes to compatriot Gakpo.
"Cody Gakpo, welcome to Liverpool. This number has brought me lots of magic, and I hope it will bring you the same kinda magic too. Congratulations and good luck,” Kuyt wrote on Twitter.
The 23-year-old will need to adjust to his surroundings quickly as Klopp will need to call upon his new signing ahead of a busy period of fixtures.
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The Reds host Leicester City in the Premier League on Friday evening and whilst Gakpo is unlikely to feature against Brendan Rodgers’ side, Monday’s trip to Brentford or next weekend’s FA Cup clash with Wolves is a more realistic target.
Liverpool resumed their season with a 3-1 win at Aston Villa on Boxing Day thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Stefan Bajcetic.
The win ensured Liverpool remained in sixth place, four points adrift of Manchester United and five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification.
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