Cody Gakpo suggested that none of Liverpool's players were expecting Arne Slot to lose his job, and he said that it was a "shame" to see his compatriot depart
21:47, 06 Jun 2026
Cody Gakpo in action for the Netherlands
Cody Gakpo spoke about Arne Slot's dismissal(Image: EYE4images/NurPhoto)
Cody Gakpo's comments about Arne Slot's departure indicate that Liverpool's players were not expecting Arne Slot to be fired.
Slot was dismissed from his role as Liverpool 's head coach last weekend, and has since been replaced by former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool's decision to fire Slot came as a surprise to virtually everybody, as it was widely expected that qualifying for the Champions League would be enough to save his job.
Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes decided that a change in the dugout would be for the best after conducting an end-of-season review, and Slot was reported to have been shocked by the decision.
Slot's compatriot, Gakpo, gave his reaction to the news, and suggested that nobody in Liverpool's dressing room was expecting it.
“It is, of course, a shame that the manager has been sacked,” Gakpo said. “Especially so soon after the season where we had fought to qualify for the Champions League.
“But yes, I believe the club released a statement about that, with the explanation in it.
“Ultimately, I don’t think anyone, any of the players, saw it coming. But it certainly happened.
“Many of our players at the club are also working towards the World Cup now, so we’ll have to quickly put that aside, no matter how difficult that can be for someone.”
Asked whether he had been in touch with Slot since the news, Gakpo responded: “I sent him a message to thank him for the past two years, and of course with the highlight of last season.”
Arne Slot gives instructions to Cody Gakpo
Gakpo said it was a "shame" that Slot had been sacked(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool's players were not consulted on the decision to part ways with Slot, as captain Virgil van Dijk confirmed earlier this week.
"I landed in Amsterdam on Saturday afternoon and then it had already leaked," Van Dijk said. "After that I naturally had conversations. But the decision was already taken.
"It is not like they ask me how or what. I spoke with Arne and with Sipke. That is the most important thing for me. I am very grateful to them. For everything they have meant, not only to me but also to the club.
"I wish them only success. Hopefully the club Liverpool will come out of it well again, because as a club this season was below par."
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When Van Dijk and Gakpo return to Liverpool ahead of next season, they will be greeted by a new face in Iraola, who has signed a two-year deal at Anfield.