Cody Gakpo Confident In Liverpool Future, Faced With Stiff Competition
Following his fiery performance for the Netherlands at the World Cup, Cody Gakpo faces an uncertain future at Liverpool due to new signings and interest from other teams.
After impressing for the Netherlands against Sweden, Cody Gakpo was interviewed about the difference in his role for the country and for Liverpool. "That's a good question. Of course, different," said Gakpo. "The coach wants something different, my freedom of movement is also different," he added before choosing not to reveal any more details.
Gakpo's further goals for the Netherlands came amid greater competition at Anfield. Victor Munoz has just signed from Osasuna for £34.5 million and Liverpool are also actively pursuing RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande, who could fill the same position as the Dutchman.
The influx of new players raises questions for Gakpo's future, especially as his statistics dipped last season: nine goals and six assists in 52 games, compared to 18 goals and seven assists during the title-winning campaign. While his production dropped, he wasn't alone — many in Liverpool were also missing out on the action.
Gakpo is a favorite on the left side of the offense but finds he still needs to form a stronger partnership with Milos Kerkez. Liverpool will hope to accelerate the development of Kerkez, who will once again work with the former coach from Bournemouth, to further expand Gakpo's potential.
Despite everything, Liverpool still have a high regard for Gakpo as a proven scorer who can adjust to different positions. Especially with Hugo Ekitike potentially out until 2027 due to injury, the Dutchman's versatility — whether as a team center or winger — is important.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/882/cpsprodpb/9b4f/live/972ab7d0-6fbc-11f1-8dfa-636ee713b41c.jpg" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>After the departure of Mohamed Salah, there is sure to be another attack coming to Anfield and focus is hot on the possible arrival of Diomande. Youngster Rio Ngumoha and Florian Wirtz, who played on the left side last season, will also have big roles.
New head coach Andoni Iraola's decision on Wirtz's future position may set the path for Gakpo, who also first shined when competing with Luis Diaz. But only now, since Gakpo's arrival in December 2022, is the possibility of a move looming — with teams like Tottenham Hotspur watching.
The price of Gakpo's sale is huge, reaching more than £60 million — a huge profit from the original £35 million from PSV Eindhoven after the 2022 World Cup. Gakpo proved his worth against Sweden: a tap-in and a trademark cutting-in from the left to goal. He has already scored four goals in the World Cup, and his impact on the international scene continues.
His Netherlands and Liverpool team-mates and captain Virgil van Dijk recognized Gakpo's quality: "He is very good — disciplined, full of quality, evident in crosses, assists and goals."
As he continues to impress at the World Cup, the argument for Gakpo to stay at Liverpool is getting stronger. With Iraola's new system in place and the team's offense being revamped, there's a good chance the Dutchman will re-ignite — but it's unlikely he'll leave the country before the end of the summer.
