Cody Gakpo described his recent summer as “challenging” after a potential transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City did not materialize.
The summer was tumultuous for Gakpo post-World Cup, as uncertainty clouded his future at Anfield throughout most of the transfer period.
He was first rumored to be moving to Tottenham before it became clear in the final days that Manchester City had shown interest in signing him.
Ultimately, the transfer collapsed during the last moments of the deadline, and Gakpo remained with Liverpool.
“I don’t know if it’s worth going into specifics about all that,” Gakpo told The Telegraph. “It was a tough summer for me and my family, entangled with both football and personal matters. I accepted how things unfolded, and it ended as it did.”
“It’s a long story. The whole summer was challenging on many levels. I had to let everything settle and see where it would lead, and it turned out this way.”
“Now it is what it is. I want to focus on enjoying time with my family and friends and playing football with my teammates at the club.”
An incredible finish from Cody as he equalises for @OnsOranje in the 92nd minute pic.twitter.com/3mbKeL4MuA
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 24, 2026
Gakpo has had an impressive start to the 2026-27 season with Liverpool, featuring in six matches under coach Andoni Iraola. He has already recorded six goal contributions—two goals and four assists—making him the club’s leading contributor.
Additionally, his 13 chances created rank him just behind Dominik Szoboszlai.
“Playing for a prestigious club like Liverpool means you must deliver,” Gakpo stated, noting that he scored for the Netherlands in their 1-1 match against Germany on Thursday. “I don’t want to comment on others, but I know there’s room for improvement in my performance compared to last year.”
“I’m not sure if the criticism I faced was justified, but I see where it comes from. At Liverpool, the expectations are high; you need to win and prove that you’re among the elite clubs globally. We didn’t manage to do that last year, myself included. That’s just the reality.”
Fan Take: This news matters significantly to soccer fans because Gakpo’s performance can directly influence Liverpool’s success in an increasingly competitive league. His ability to rise above challenges and contribute effectively could be pivotal not just for his career, but also for Liverpool’s aspirations in the ongoing season.
Source: www.soccernews.com
