Had a late deadline day bid from Manchester City gone differently, the narrative around Liverpool’s start to the season could have looked entirely unrecognisable.
As the summer transfer window entered into its final few days, rumors swirled that the Dutch forward was inching closer to an exit from Anfield.
Tottenham Hotspur had initially circled as eager admirers, only to watch Premier League rivals Manchester City swoop in. The player himself was even open to exploring a switch to the Etihad Stadium. Yet, a combination of lingering complications most notably Liverpool's inability to secure an adequate replacement in time ensured the deal stayed dead in the water.
For a fanbase that watched the saga unfold with bated breath, looking back now feels like dodging a bullet. Far from being a frustrated figure left behind, the Netherlands international has exploded out of the blocks to become the central heartbeat of Andoni Iraola’s new-look side.
A blistering start to the campaign
The 27-year-old attacker has wasted zero time proving his immense value on the pitch, turning transfer window turbulence into fuel.
It all kicked off on the opening weekend of the Premier League season in a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United. With Liverpool searching for a spark at St. James' Park, the versatile forward produced a moment of absolute individual brilliance.
Capitalising on a clever pass from Ryan Gravenberch, he took one sharp touch before unleashing an unstoppable, thunderous rocket from nearly 20 yards out that arrowed straight into the bottom corner to make it 1-1. It was a statement goal that immediately silenced any doubts regarding his focus.
That momentum rolled right into the next fixture which was a 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest, at Anfield where the Dutch star shifted from scorer to provider, laying on a crucial assist to keep the pressure high at the top end of the pitch.
However, his finest masterclass arrived under the Friday night lights at Portman Road. Facing Ipswich Town, the forward put on a creative clinic alongside club-record arrival Alexander Isak.
Operating with terrifying synergy, he carved open the home defense twice, teeing up the Swedish striker for a quickfire first-half double that secured a comfortable 2-0 victory and handed Iraola his very first Premier League win in the managerial hotseat.
Total backing from the dressing room and the dugout
Speaking to Sky Sports in the aftermath of the Portman Road triumph, Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk was effusive in his praise for his compatriot, emphasizing just how vital the forward remains to the club's ambitions.
“Massive,” Van Dijk replied when asked about the decision to keep the forward. “I said it before the transfer window had closed, he’s important for us, and he will be important this season. He showed it today again; he showed it last week as well, and over the last couple of years. [He needs to] just keep going.”
Reflecting further on the team’s overall display in Suffolk, the Dutch central defender added:
“I think we were a little bit more direct in the beginning, which is what we wanted to put the danger in their half and create a bit of chaos. Great goals. Cody was outstanding. Great win, and onto the next.”
Those sentiments are fully shared by the manager. Speaking candidly ahead of the Ipswich trip, Iraola addressed the media regarding the noise surrounding the player's future and insisted that transparency had always prevailed behind the scenes.
"My relationship with Cody has been very honest from the beginning," Iraola explained. "He has played very well for us so far. He was always aware of the situation in the market, we were constantly talking, I hope we can keep him at the same level. He is in a good place physically and mentally and I'm very happy to pick him."
Looking ahead to the Champions League
With previous reports suggesting Liverpool would have entertained bids in excess of 70 million pounds, the hierarchy's swift rejection of Manchester City’s advances is already paying massive dividends.
Instead of scrambling to patch up a sudden void in the frontline, Iraola enters the autumn months boasting a fearsome attacking partnership between his dynamic Dutch playmaker and his newly arrived Swedish talisman.
Attention now turns swiftly toward midweek European action. Liverpool are set to kick off their high-stakes Champions League campaign against Spanish giants Atlético Madrid, before returning to domestic duties for a tricky home clash against Fulham.
If the opening weeks of the season are anything to go by, any lingering thoughts of a deadline-day departure are firmly in the rearview mirror. With the goals flowing, the assists racking up, and the dressing room completely united behind him, Liverpool's number nine-turned-creator is ready to spearhead a massive campaign.
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