Cody Gakpo has yet to kick a ball for Liverpool but his arrival is already seen as one of the most significant of recent times.
Fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk is in no doubt: “Hopefully, Cody can go to the moon and back, and he’s a good boy too,’ he claimed.
On an earthlier level, the excitement was palpable: out of nowhere, the Reds had swooped for one of the stars of the World Cup.
Yet again they’d trumped a dithering Manchester United when it seemed the ex-PSV winger would be joining compatriot Erik ten Hag.
Even the anti-FSG brigade had to admit that at the very least, it’s someone coming in instead of leaving or getting injured.
For that is how it has seemed lately with Liverpool personnel – either on or off the field.
Even more alarming than the annual spate of long-term player casualties has been the exodus behind the scenes.
Following the shock announcement that the club was up for sale, key cogs in the Red Machine have been dropping like flies.
Jurgen Klopp’s closest confidant Mike Gordon is taking a back seat from his hands-on operational role as FSG president.
Football director Julian Ward, who brought in Gakpo, is quitting his post at the end of the season – just a year into the job.
So much for the smooth transition from his peerless predecessor Michael Edwards.
And also in the recruitment department, highly-regarded sports data specialist Ian Graham is heading out.
Fans were wondering: what the heck is going on? Eminent scribe Simon Hughes asked if it might be the end of an era.
Since 2015, the triumvirate of Klopp, Edwards and Gordon had been central to Liverpool’s recent golden age.
Under their direction, the team had won every title there is to win.
They ended the 30-year league title drought, captured a sixth Champions League trophy and the World Club Cup.
The club’s status as ‘European royalty’ was reaffirmed.
But now two of the trio have gone and Edwards’ replacement is also leaving with no successor in sight.
The success has been built on continuity, but Klopp apart, there is now only turmoil in the corridors of power.
Little imagination is needed to link these changes with the sale.
Clearly, Gordon’s is but it’s curious that from a department that’s the envy of the EPL, three top men should want out in quick succession.
Is it the fear that new owners would want their own people?
Usually, those with the contacts for new signings are the least likely to be culled by an incoming regime.
Or could it be that Edwards, Ward and Graham sense they can’t keep unearthing jewels?
Or that the club has punched above its weight for too long and can no longer compete with state-owned rivals.
Other ‘end of era’ signs were the failure to sign a midfielder (besides the lame Arthur Melo) in the transfer window – especially the delay over Jude Bellingham.
This, along with the erratic start of lone major signing Darwin Nunez, led to as many points being dropped in the first part of the season as in the whole of 2021-22.
And after a successful World Cup, Bellingham’s stock has risen and his price has doubled.
There’s also the very real prospect of not qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Not even an upturn in results, which began before the break, has allayed fears of missing out – especially now that Newcastle has made it seven clubs scrapping for four places.
Gakpo’s presence upfront should greatly enhance Liverpool’s prospects.
In spearheading the Netherlands’ run to the quarter-finals in Qatar, he showed he could be a top, top player.
And with his height, pace and goal-scoring ability, he’s just what the Reds needed to reinforce their injury-ravaged front line.
The hope is that he can hit the ground running just as Luis Diaz did a year ago – and inspire the team to similarly lofty heights.
But the most heartening aspect of his arrival is that FSG have dipped into their pockets to boost the team when there were fears they might not buy any more.
It’s worth recalling that when the sale news broke that FSG stated they were looking for “a strategic partner” before they mentioned an outright sale.
Both are on the table and it could well be that the first is the preferred option.
Concerned about their inability to compete with zillionaires – either private or state – they want to fund Klopp, in whom they have total faith, in rebuilding the side.
The German has renewed his contract for another four years and, given a fair wind and sufficient funds, feels there are more trophies to be won.
It’s now being speculated on Merseyside that if a wealthy equity company were to come in as a significant partner, FSG would call off the sale.
What is needed is the cash to buy Bellingham, so long considered a future Liverpool fulcrum, even at the current high price.
With youngsters like Stefan Bajcetic, Kaide Gordon, Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho emerging besides Gakpo, Diaz and Nunez, a younger side is gradually emerging.
Could it be that FSG, aware of their own limitations, are offering a carrot for future investment?
Or simply ensuring that the price they hope to sell at doesn’t fall because of poor results?
Either way, instead of the end of an era, Gakpo’s signing could herald a new beginning.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
