Liverpool forward Kodi Gakpo brilliantly provided the assist for Mohamed Salah’s goal in the Merseyside derby against Everton in the Premier League last weekend.
The Dutch international hasn’t been particularly outstanding throughout the 2025-26 season, but there’s no denying that his pass to Salah’s strike was sublime.
It was his second assist in as many Premier League games, with the winger also providing an assist for Egypt against Fulham, taking his tally to six assists in all competitions this season.
However, despite making 47 appearances for the Reds, Gakpo has not scored in his last 13 games for club and country and is yet to reach 10 goals or assists in all competitions.
The Dutchman has not been able to provide consistent quality at the top end of Arne Slott’s pitch and his place in the starting XI could be under pressure this summer.
Liverpool in talks to sign Serie A star
Summer isn’t that far away and Liverpool are already considering potential additions to strengthen their squad as they compete for next season’s Premier League trophy.
Gakpo has dominated in the Reds’ final third across all competitions in 2025-26, meaning the club could consider adding him in the off-season.
According to SportsBoom, Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz is one of the attackers Liverpool are eyeing in the summer transfer window.
The newspaper reports that the Reds are working towards a contract with the Turkish national team player and are considering a transfer as well as a transfer fee, but the specific player was not mentioned.
He also adds that Juventus will not listen to offers below £87 million in the summer, meaning Liverpool will either have to pay a lot of money to bring the forward to Anfield or “exchange” one of their valuable assets.
SportsBoom also revealed that Manchester United and the London Premier League side are also interested in signing Yildiz, potentially leading to stiff competition for his signature.
Will Kenan Yildiz be an upgrade over Kodi Gakpo for Liverpool?
As mentioned above, Gakpo has been underwhelming at Anfield this season as he has not provided a consistent threat as either a scorer or goal creator in the Premier League.
However, Yildiz has been a consistent scorer and creator in Serie A for Juventus this season, ranking high among players in the league for important passes and “big chances” created.
Most appearances in Serie A 25/26 season | |
|---|---|
key pass | A big opportunity has arisen |
Federico DiMarco (86) | Federico DiMarco (30) |
Kenan Yildiz (71) | Charles de Quetelaer (17) |
Nicolo Barella (67) | Kenan Yildiz (15) |
Sebastiano Esposito (59) | Nicolo Barella (14) |
Juan Miranda (59) | Nicopus (11) |
Only Inter’s Federico Dimarco has created more chances than the Turkish talent in Serie A this season, while Codi Gakpo ranks 14th in the Premier League for ‘big chances’ created (10) and ninth for key passes (49).
As well as being an exceptional creative threat on the left flank, Yildiz has scored 10 goals in the league from 7.83 xG and has only missed three ‘big chances’ in total.
Gakpo has only scored six goals from 7.18xG in the Premier League for Liverpool, missing six ‘big chances’. This suggests the Serie A star, who is valued at £87m, will bring further contributions to the Reds as a clinical finisher.
Claimed by writer Danny Corcoran to have “(Kylian) Mbappé-like abilities”, Yildiz is a mercurial talent with the ability to cut in with his right foot from the left wing, score goals and create chances at breakneck speed, as his form for Juventus this season has proven.
Unfortunately, Gakpo hasn’t shown much consistency in his play as a scorer or goal creator in the slot. That may be why the club are currently working on a deal that could bring the Turkish international to Anfield in the summer.
If the 20-year-old talented player can adapt to the Premier League, he could potentially join Merseyside as a huge upgrade for the Dutchman, as he could win more games for Liverpool by scoring more goals and creating more chances for his team-mates.
That’s why Richard Hughes and Slott must work now to reach an agreement to sign the Serie A superstar in the upcoming summer transfer window.
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