Virgil van Dijk has been vindicated after making it clear he did not believe Liverpool should entertain selling Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo, Virgil van Dijk and Alexander Isak during Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool.(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside via Getty Images)
Liverpool have been made to count their lucky stars more than once that they decided against cashing in on Cody Gakpo during the final days of the transfer window.
The Dutchman had admittedly been one of the Reds’ biggest under-performers last season as Arne Slot’s side fell dismally short of defending the Premier League title and he was the subject of support frustration.
So while Gakpo might have only signed a new and improved long-term contract at Anfield in August 2025, that did not make him indispensable on Merseyside.
And for most of the summer, it looked like he would be leaving Liverpool with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City both in hot pursuit of his signature.
OPINION
Throw in the fact that Bradley Barcola was being signed to become first choice on the Reds’ left-back following his £123m arrival from Paris Saint-Germain and it appeared Gakpo’s time at the club was coming to an end.
And had Liverpool not been knocked back in their pursuit of Yan Diomande, Endrick, Yankuba Minteh and Ismaila Sarr at various points throughout the summer, as they sought to sign a new right-winger, having waved off Mohamed Salah on a free transfer after nine trophy and goal-laden nine seasons, Gakpo would surely have made way.
But that was despite the wishes of captain Virgil van Dijk, who made it clear following the 2-2 home draw with Nottingham Forest on August 29 that he wanted his club and international team-mate to stay put before the window closed days later.
“What do you think? He’s a quality player,” Van Dijk said. “I think we should keep quality players.
“Let’s see what the next few days bring. I want him to stay not only because he’s a quality player but also because he’s a friend of mine. He’s very important for us.”
Gakpo still could have departed right up until the end of the window after opting for a move to Man City over Tottenham if an exit was indeed sanctioned.
However, after mulling over their own situation, Reds bosses decided it would be better to retain the 27-year-old rather than complete a pricey late swoop for a natural right-winger.
An £80m bid from City was knocked back in the process, while Andoni Iraola was left with an imbalanced frontline.
Having signed Victor Munoz from Osasuna and while also boasting Rio Ngumoha in the wings, the Basque was left with four wingers who would all favour playing on the left if given the choice.
But it is a testament to Iraola and how he has managed the situation during the opening weeks of the season, and indeed his own personal preference for his wide players, that all four have already been turned to on both flanks.
Liverpool’s attack has become unpredictable as a result, and for Gakpo in particular, such versatility has more than paid off during an explosive start to the new campaign.
He boasts two goals and four assists from his opening six games, which does not include Alexander Isak’s winner away to Bournemouth coming from the forward’s low right-wing cross, and has already taken such form into the international break with a late equaliser for the Netherlands against Germany.
Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo combined to score Liverpool’s winner at Bournemouth (Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
From his six official goal contributions at club level, both goals have come from his favoured left wing along with three of his assists. But his low crosses from the right against Forest and the non-assist against Bournemouth show his threat from both flanks.
Of course, Iraola might need to call upon Gakpo down the middle too. With Hugo Ekitike a long-term absentee with an Achilles injury and Federico Chiesa both unfancied and sidelined since the end of pre-season regardless, Gakpo and youngster Lewis Koumas are currently Liverpool’s only alternatives to Isak in attack.
The Swede has enjoyed his own positive start to the new campaign, returning five goals from just seven starts for club and country.
But after the 27-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Sweden squad with a thigh injury, the Reds were given an unwanted reminder of Isak’s at-times frailty.
His latest issue has been played down as only a minor problem. But having been troubled by injury throughout his time at Newcastle United and been limited to just 22 appearances during his first season at Liverpool, it is clear Isak is not a player Iraola can expect to call upon to complete 90 minutes week after week to play every single game.
It remains to be seen whether he will be fit for the Reds’ return to club action against Man City on Sunday, October 11. But regardless, with Liverpool’s attacking options currently compromised, it is more than just Gakpo’s current form that makes the club’s decision to retain him a shrewd one, even if he has now provided an injury scare of his own.
Van Dijk was delighted to see his colleague stay at the club, well aware of just how much he would be needed as Reds bosses ultimately ended up agreeing with his transfer demand.
“If people didn’t appreciate Cody before, personally I don’t understand it,” Van Dijk said after seeing his compatriot equalise against Germany. “But I think it was a no-brainer for us as a team and a club to keep him.
“There were talks but, in my eyes, you can’t let him go and that’s why I said it. He is a friend as well. Ours, please – let’s keep it that way.”
Cody Gakpo is congratulated by Virgil van Dijk after his equaliser for the Netherlands against Germany (Image: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Admittedly, there remains a question mark against Gakpo’s longer-term future.
Should Liverpool look to pursue a natural right-winger in 2027, either in January or next summer, he would still be a leading candidate to make way.
Only time will tell if his retention is merely a stop-gap while the likes of Ekitike are sidelined, giving the Reds more time to plot their next move when it comes to sourcing a replacement for Salah.
Gakpo has been diplomatic about his situation at least, admitting he just wants to enjoy his football.
“I just let it come and it ended how it ended,” he told The Times. “I cannot choose. So then I have to just try to do what I’m good at, and that’s playing football.
“I can be very worried about everything that could happen, or that didn’t happen, or whatever, but that wouldn’t help the situation.
“Some things are out of our hands, and we have to do the things we can control to the best of our ability. That’s the only thing I can do.
“I just want to enjoy my life with my family and friends, and my life playing football with my team-mates (with the Netherlands) and at the club.”
Gakpo might still have little control over his overall long-term future. But back enjoying his football at Anfield, he has wasted no time in vindicating Liverpool’s decision to keep him – much to the relief of Van Dijk.