Sergio Aguero has offered his take on the Liverpool attacking duo, Cody Gakpo and Bradley Barcola, with the former having been wanted by Man City earlier in the summer
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Cody Gakpo of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-1 during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo nearly left Liverpool this summer - now he's been a standout player for Andoni Iraola(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
Premier League legend Sergio Aguero says Liverpool was right to keep Cody Gakpo this summer, despite strong interest from his former side, Manchester City.
Gakpo was also of interest to Tottenham during the summer window, but with no replacement for him coming in, it was determined that the Dutchman would be staying at Liverpool. So far this season, he has looked back to his best, with performances akin to when the Reds won the Premier League under Arne Slot.
"Keeping good players is always positive," Aguero said. "Sometimes a player might not feel comfortable in his position, with the manager or at the club, and that’s when he wants to leave.
"But if (Gakpo) is comfortable with the manager and understands what the manager wants, it’s important to keep him.
"Liverpool is a very difficult opponent to beat, particularly at Anfield, and keeping players like Gakpo is good for the club.
"I think City were waiting until the last moment regarding Enzo Fernandez. His fee was very high, so they had to choose. I think it was either Enzo or Gakpo, and they ultimately chose Enzo."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Cody Gakpo of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on September 15, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Carabao Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca's men could return for Gakpo in the future, but Liverpool would command a huge fee. If the 27-year-old continues in his current form, then him leaving will not be so enticing.
His favored spot is down the left-hand side, though, and Liverpool has just splashed big money on the former PSG winger Bradley Barcola, who has also played there most often.
"The Premier League isn’t easy, but (Barcola) has the qualities to be a very good player," Aguero, speaking to Stake, continued.
"In reality, he’s already a good player, but I mean becoming one of the best in the Premier League. He has the necessary qualities.
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"A lot will depend on where Liverpool are in the Premier League table and whether they’re challenging for the title. But he’s a great player, there’s no doubt about that."
Liverpool.com says: Gakpo has been a stand-out for the Reds so far. While Barcola and Victor Munoz will also want to be in the starting XI at Bournemouth on Sunday, the Dutchman definitely deserves to be there.
Keeping him felt like the right call at the time, and it has proven to be the case up to now. Without Gakpo, the Liverpool attack would look incredibly light of proven goalscorers.