Dutch international Cody Gakpo has shown his prized scoring ability when locked into his familiar left-wing position by coach Arne Slot. His shots and crosses from cut-ins are attractive, and he often has a season to match Mohamed Salah’s assists.
Famously, however, there was also a world line where he did not play at Anfield: before his move to Liverpool in the winter of 2023, Manchester United were close to acquiring the player, who was then at PSV Eindhoven, and it almost seemed an offer was on the table.
However, his bid to join United fell through. Continued outstanding performances in a sudden turnaround amidst his firm intention to leave the Netherlands led to a move to another prestigious English club six months later, but the 25-year-old left winger explained how it happened at the time.
“In the summer of 2022, I was almost planning to leave and then I almost went to United.”
“In the end, they didn’t want me anymore – things happened and everything.”
“Then I could stay here [at PSV Eindhoven] or went to two other clubs.”
“Then I just prayed about it and found the answer in some goals that I scored.”
“If I scored a hat-trick I should stay and it was with the first hat-trick of my career, so I couldn’t get a clearer answer so that guided me a lot.”
“Besides that, also my parents guide me a lot in everything I do so they are the two guiding factors in my life.”
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Under Jurgen Klopp, he was used in various positions, including as a centre-forward and attacking midfielder.
He contributed to the team in a different way to this season, but seems more lively now, when he can use his strength to break the deadlock and shoot through his own dribble.
At Anfield he is the second highest scorer after Egyptian King, but who knows if he would have been as good at Old Trafford.
He has continued to slump and manager Erik ten Hag, who would have wanted him to join, has left the team.
In the end, the move to Merseyside turned out to be the right one, but can Gakpo continue to score and lead the team to the top in terms of goals and assists next season and beyond…?