LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Cody Gakpo of Liverpool walks out onto the pitch before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on August 29, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 29: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Cody Gakpo of Liverpool walks out onto the pitch before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on August 29, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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It would have been easy, across the course of a turbulent summer, for Cody Gakpo to have regressed.
Fresh from a deeply dispiriting and unhappy domestic campaign as a whole for Liverpool - a period where he was often a lightning rod for criticism - Gakpo briefly appeared reinvigorated at the World Cup only for the Netherlands to fall to Morocco in the Round of 32 on penalties.
It was during the FIFA showpiece where the Oranje forward earned widespread plaudits for making himself available for selection shortly after his partner, Noa, had made public the news of the couple's miscarriage heartbreak.
After returning to pre-season training, Gakpo then saw Manchester City join Tottenham Hotspur, whose interest had been long-standing, as a potential suitor before talks over a potential £85m deal intensified after the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest last month.
READ MORE: Liverpool's strongest line-up after summer transfer window as £85m man becomes invaluable
In that game where he had supplied a flawless assist for Alexander Isak, Gakpo played in the unfamiliar role of right wing under new head coach Andoni Iraola.
And suddenly, the forward was contemplating a change of scenery, as part of Enzo Maresca's new-look City.
It's amid this backdrop that it becomes clear that it's been a period of deep uncertainty and turmoil for the former PSV star.
So, with that in mind, Gakpo deserves enormous credit for how he has started this campaign under Iraola.
And it's also looking a wise decision from Liverpool to put the brakes on his departure.
With Ismaila Sarr and Yankuba Minteh in the cross hairs in the event Gakpo left Anfield, the call to end negotiations with City to keep Gakpo on Merseyside looks like it could yet prove to be an inspired one.
Other players would have wilted with so much surrounding them, but with a goal and three assists - all for Isak - in the three Premier League fixtures so far this term, Gakpo is only growing in importance.
“I don't think only this season (he has been important),” Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said after Friday's 2-0 win over Ipswich Town.
“Obviously over the last seasons anyway. So yeah, I'm glad he stayed. I don't think anyone knows what he's been through.
"So I don't think it's easy for the outside world to see what he's had on his plate.
"What the reality is, I don't think anyone needs to know that. But his reality is he's here with us and he wants to be important for us.“And he showed it already over numerous games, including the last two games before tonight and today again.”
While the 'assist' metric is often an imperfect way to describe players' goal contributions, the three the Netherlands forward has laid on for Isak so far this term have been superb.
The sharp turn and inch-perfect pass across the face of the goal against Forest was the sort of delivery that £125m Isak will be desperate to see arrive more frequently this season.
Gakpo's wonderful outside-of-the-foot pass to set Isak away for the second at Ipswich was also eye-catching, coming just moments after his pass had found the Sweden striker to fire home at Portman Road.
It all adds to the idea that Gakpo, having seen proposed a move to City break down, will instead be an influential figure for Iraola's Reds.
If the 27-year-old under-performed in Arne Slot's second season, he was not alone and the early going of the 26/27 term is already hinting that he intends to remind everyone of his true ability.
With Bradley Barcola now on board as the second most expensive signing of all time at Anfield at £123m, Gakpo might have to take his opportunities on the right side under Iraola rather than the left where has made his name.
But it's clear that Barcola's addition won't mean Gakpo fades to obscurity inside Iraola's Liverpool squad.
If there was any disappointment over the failure to secure a move to the Etihad, Gakpo didn't let it show at Ipswich.
And given how he has flown out of the traps since his return during pre-season, the Dutchman is not intending to dwell on what might have been either.
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