Liverpool coach John Achterberg has welcomed Cody Gakpo to the club after the Reds agreed a £44million deal.

Hours after beating Aston Villa 3-1 on Boxing Day (Monday), Jurgen Klopp’s side announced they had drawn up a big-money deal to sign the Holland star from PSV.

Although the Premier League club are yet to officially comment, Liverpool goalkeeping coach Achterberg seemingly confirmed the transfer with a message on his social media account.

Commenting on Gakpo’s latest post on Instagram, from Christmas Day, the 51-year-old said: ‘Welcome to the club Cody,’ followed by a fist-bump, sunglasses, OK and love heart emojis.

Bitter rivals Manchester United were keen on signing Gakpo but Liverpool now appear to have hijacked the deal, amid United only targeting loan arrivals in the January transfer window as the reviled Glazer owners look to sell the club.

Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday that his Holland team-mate Virgil van Dijk, who plays at Anfield, reportedly made a key phone call to convince Gakpo to join Liverpool, with the defender calling for new signings just hours before the news broke.

At the World Cup, where skilful forward Gakpo impressed with three goals, Van Dijk said the 23-year-old ‘could go to the moon and back’ with his career given that he ‘has so much potential.’

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson and teenage midfielder Stefan Bajcetic followed Gakpo on Instagram in another indication that a deal is imminent.

Gakpo has 30 goal involvements for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side in just 24 appearances in all competitions so far this seaso