Arne Slot's sacking at Liverpool has thrown the future of some players into serious doubt. The Dutchman was relieved of his duties on Saturday morning and looks set to be replaced by Andoni Iraola.
The Spanish coach would bring in higher-intensity football, which may not suit some members of Slot's side. There's a lot of transfer business to be done at Anfield during the summer.
Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate are already confirmed to be leaving on free transfers, while Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister have been linked with moves away. According to reports, another first-team member has requested a move away.
Liverpool Star Wants to Follow Slot Out of Anfield
Liverpool players vs Brentford
Dutch news outlet SoccerNews reports that Netherlands international Cody Gakpo has asked to leave the Merseyside club. The Dutch winger is currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup with his nation.
The report states that the £250,000-per-week forward has even 'submitted a transfer request' in his quest for a new challenge. He's spent three-and-a-half years at the club after a January 2023 move from PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo was a regular starter under the former manager, but may not be a nailed-on starter next term with attacking players such as Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola linked with moves to Anfield.
Gakpo Was a Bayern Munich Target
Cody Gakpo celebrating after scoring for Liverpool against West Ham United in the Premier League
The 27-year-old was reportedly under consideration by German giants Bayern Munich in the summer of 2025. However, the Bundesliga side opted to sign Luis Diaz from Liverpool instead.
It's a decision Dutch television host Rene van der Gijp was baffled by. Slot is said to have approved the transfer, promoting Gakpo to starting left-winger at Liverpool. Van der Gijp said:
"Do you know what else he didn't do well? That he let that guy (Díaz, that is) go to Bayern Munich. He's good there, isn't he? That disappoints me coming from him, because I rate him highly in terms of know-how. He is having an amazing season.
"At Liverpool, Gakpo was basically his stand-in. If he was fit, he played. I saw him play live once, at Porto. AC Milan-Porto. I had never seen that before. That guy was good! And then Liverpool bought him. But Slot let him go anyway."
The contrast in both men's 2025-26 seasons couldn't have been greater. Gakpo managed just nine goals in all competitions, while his old colleague netted 26 times in 51 appearances.
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 04-06-26.