This is already going to be another hugely important summer for Liverpool Football Club as they see a new coach coming in, legends departing and several issues that need correcting.
Well, now you might be able to add lack of wing depth overall beyond the soon-to-be departed Mohamed Salah. Per Soccer News, Netherlands international Cody Gakpo has informed the club of his desire to leave this summer as well.
It is reported that recent relegation-threatened Tottenham carry the most interest in Gakpo as their manager Roberto De Zerbi is a big fan of the 27-year old.
Gakpo is coming off of a modest G/A output in 2025/26, and the critics of his game have never been louder at Anfield than they are presently. With that in mind, let's discuss both sides to see which one makes the most sense.
The case for keeping Gakpo
One of the big selling points for the people that want Cody to remain at Liverpool is the arrival of one, Andoni Iraola.
While Arne Slot played Gakpo with as much certainty as any of the biggest stars in the team, his system did not really allow the forward to play with much confidence. It was to a point that we all knew, fans and opponents, what he wanted to do. Dribble at his matchup, and cut inside on his right foot. Done. Nothing else.
That kind of rigid play will not fly under someone like Iraola. He wants his wide forwards to play with expressionism and a diversity that keeps defenders guessing.
If the Spaniard can get Gakpo to become multi-dimensional, that would surely elevate his game once again to the highs we saw just a few years ago.
At a time where Salah is leaving, Federico Chiesa is likely to be sold and Hugo Ekitike is out long-term with an injury, can the Reds really afford to see one of their remaining veteran attackers leave too?
While he did regress during the 2025/26 season, there is no denying his vast experience would still be a useful asset, especailly if Iraola can get him playing a fresh style going forward. There is still a good player in there, the new coaching staff just needs to find a way to bring it out more consistently.
If they can do that, we could see a resurgent Gakpo in the upcoming campaign and beyond. It would go a long way to filling the ever-growing needs in attack.
The case for selling Gakpo
On the other side of the coin, if Tottenham were to offer somewhere around £65 million for the Dutchman, could Liverpool turn that down?
While he is under contract at Anfield through the 2030 season, the Liverpool brass might be looking to get ahead of a potential decline sooner than later.
That kind of money could be used to find a replacement, or contribute to various positions across the lineup as Iraola still has work to do in building a fully diverse squad. I also don't think the idea that it is Spurs would be a drawback either, as they have a lot more intense rebuild on their hands at the moment .
While it would be nice to think that Gakpo could adjust the playing style that helped him secure a move to Liverpool and make 50 appearances for the Netherlands, it's not a lock to happen.
Professional footballers can be stubborn, and having played the way he does for so long, it won't be an easy task to completely overhaul his attacking approach in a whole new system.
There's also the idea that at 27, he is the player he is; a good wide forward who has elite spike days along with floor level bad days. Is that something that Iraola can fix in a summer? That remains to be seen, but there is no denying that it might be harder than some expect.
The final verdict
Cody Gakpo has been a fine servant for Liverpool since joining in early 2023, and he has been a key contributor to many successful moments at the club.
However, he plateaued this past season and there was not a lot of optimism if Slot had stuck around. With the arrival of Iraola, there is a hope that he can regain his top level and be a key attacking asset through his prime years at Anfield.
Yet, he has not established himself so much at the club that if an enticing enough offer were to come in, the club could easily say no. The continued emergence of Rio Ngumoha is a key factor here too.
If the teenager keeps blossoming, it will only be a matter of time before he displaces Gakpo in the long-term Starting XI. At that point, would the player even want to be here?
That is where the conundrum comes in now, do the club sell or not? For now, they should operate in the mindset he will be developed in the new system and reassess in a few months.
However, if a significant transfer fee is put on the table, it's plausible that Cody Gakpo won't don the famous red shirt again.
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