Liverpool fans will all likely remember where they were when they heard the surprise news that Cody Gakpo was set to join from PSV Eindhoven.
Coming out of the blue as it did on Boxing Day in 2022, the announcement that the Reds had beaten Manchester United to the signing of Gakpo was the cherry on top of the Christmas celebrations.
Fast forward more than three years, and that jovial feeling has long since subsided for the Dutchman. Scapegoated and vilified by sections of the Liverpool fanbase, the time may have come for Gakpo to move on.
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But where did it all go wrong for a player who has, at times, looked on the cusp of something special? Rousing The Kop take a look back at Gakpo’s up and down Liverpool career to figure out where the wheels came off.
Gakpo has a promising beginning
Gakpo joined in an unfortunate moment for Liverpool, and he understandably took a little while to find his feet. But the signs were there almost immediately that he could be an excellent addition.
Initially deployed centrally by Jurgen Klopp, the then 23-year-old had the look of a player who could potentially step into the shoes of the departing Roberto Firmino.
Good in tight spaces and capable of driving forward intelligently with the ball, there was soon a feeling that Gakpo was holding his own despite the failings of others around him.
Liverpool's Dutch striker Cody Gakpo celebrates with the Premier League trophy during an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win, in Liverpool
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
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After scoring his maiden Liverpool goal in a Merseyside Derby on his seventh appearance, the Netherlands international hit a more than respectable six further goals in his next 20 to finish the season strongly. With a first full summer ahead, things were looking positive.
Klopp oversees season of progress
Heading into the 23/24 season, there was a feeling that Klopp was not fully settled on where Gakpo should be playing.
The former PSV man even started the opening game of the Premier League season in a midfield three away at Chelsea, signalling the former Liverpool manager‘s intent to use him as something of a utility man.
This ultimately ended up hampering Gakpo to a degree, but though he only made 17 Premier League starts, 23/24 was still a season of progress as he hit 16 goals and six assists for the Reds. His form in the Carabao Cup was especially impressive as he scored four times on the way to Liverpool winning the trophy.
Appearing in 53 matches in a variety of positions, he was seen as a useful squad player, one who could still potentially step up to being a regular starter. And with a change in manager afoot, the question marks over his best position were set to be answered.
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Mohamed Salah stands with his hands on his hips during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Qarabag at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield).
Dominik Szoboszlai raises an arm to the Anfield crowd in celebration as he holds the matchball during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield/Liverpool FC
Luis Diaz challenge brings out the best in Gakpo
After Klopp’s exit, there was a feeling that Gakpo was one of the players most benefitting from the arrival of Arne Slot. Although he did not begin the season as Slot’s main man, it was clear that the No. 18 would now be playing exclusively from the left side of the attack.
Initially, this appeared to do Gakpo the world of good, and his rotation with Luis Diaz was arguably one of the biggest reasons for Liverpool’s Premier League title success in 2024/25.
Again, he was not a regular starter, beginning 23 of the Reds’ 38 matches, but his tally of 10 Premier League goals – and a further eight across cup competitions – marked Gakpo out as a really useful performer.
Although his tendency to cut in onto his stronger right foot was starting to rub some fans up the wrong way, he still had enough end product to keep them largely onside.
Starting role highlights Gakpo’s deficiencies
If the competition with Diaz brought out the best in Gakpo, then it seems that the lack of any challenger in 2025/26 has severely hampered his progress.
After Diaz’s sale he signed a new contract, signalling that Slot now saw his countryman as the starting option on the left of the attack.
Whether that was the case or not has never fully been realised thanks to the failure of getting Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike on the pitch at the same time.
As a result of a serious injury to Isak – and Gakpo’s main competition being an out of sorts Federico Chiesa and a 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha – the former PSV captain has had to become a very regular starter.
Cody Gakpo (Liverpool FC) looks on during the Champions League group game between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at the Deutsche Bank Park
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The season began in decent fashion for Gakpo, but having scored only five goals in 21 starts this term, he has failed to mix up his play, frustrating supporters by continuing to flog his old cut in and shoot tactic. With team results suffering badly, Slot has been unable to take him out of the firing line.
Most recently, there have been reports that Liverpool could sell Gakpo to Bayern this summer if a reasonable offer arrives. At this stage, that would feel to be for the best.
Gakpo is a good player and if he leaves this summer he will have had a very fine Liverpool career. But the truth is that things started to fall apart for him once he became a regular in the Reds’ XI. Some players were always meant to stay as rotational options, and if Slot can bring in someone to challenge Gakpo once again, perhaps there is still hope that he can get back to his old ways at Anfield.
For now, though, things have taken a bad turn. Something has to give this summer, be it a new arrival or a departure for Gakpo.
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