Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has opened up about a “very tough” summer, marked by a personal tragedy and the collapse of an £80m transfer to Manchester City. Gakpo revealed that Liverpool ultimately decided against letting him join their Premier League rivals.
Earlier in the summer, Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, announced the death of their second son during pregnancy. Reflecting on the period, Gakpo stated, “It was a difficult summer for me, and my family, and everything surrounding football and life.”
Despite the challenges, Gakpo has started the season brightly, scoring in Liverpool’s opening-weekend draw against Newcastle and their Carabao Cup win over Spurs, alongside providing five assists. He also netted a superb stoppage-time equaliser for the Netherlands in their 1-1 Nations League draw against Germany on Thursday.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk praised Gakpo, saying, “I think it was a no-brainer for us as a team and a club to keep him.” Van Dijk added, “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.”