Andoni Iraola can reignite $49M Liverpool star who already proved he can match Luis Diaz

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Liverpool needs to reshape its attack this summer, amid interest in Yan Diomande, but Cody Gakpo has been written off far too much and too early by lots of Reds fansAndoni Iraola on the bench at Anfield during his time with Bournemouth.(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)While the World Cup takes center stage, the transfer silly season has slightly taken a back seat. Liverpool, though, still has a lot of work to do — and that is ongoing behind the scenes.There were bizarre rumors about a reunion with Darwin Nunez earlier this week, but that wasn't the only odd claim.

At times unfairly, Gakpo was picked out as a problem in a Reds attack that failed to sparkle for much of last term.In reality, though, the whole team was underperforming, and it lacked cohesion and speed in the final third, even if Gakpo was at times predictable, and his output decreased compared to the previous season.The 27-year-old ended last term on nine goals in all competitions — not a huge haul, by any stretch — but he notched 18 goals the year before, which was notably one more than Luis Diaz.Diaz, of course, has gone on to show the level of talent that he has with Bayern Munich, with that departure — and the lack of a replacement — also feeding into the narrative about Gakpo.Cody Gakpo scores from the spot for the Netherlands against Uzbekistan(Image: Getty Images)Quite clearly, there is a useful player in the Netherlands ace, though perhaps not as the first choice starter every single week in a team that lacked something that he can't provide: pace and the ability to beat a man.Gakpo, who was signed for around $49 million (£37 million), as more of a rotation option, is a more than capable player within the Liverpool roster — and yet, for many, he was the scapegoat for a lack of attacking thrust in the last few months.Indeed, while Rio Ngumoha did plenty to excite across the second half of the season, there was also an element of desperation from some to see a change from the predictable Gakpo.That is not to say that any interest in the Dutchman should be automatically dismissed. He did not have the season that he would have wanted last year, and Liverpool has shown in the recent past that big offers can be taken and reinvested.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.

Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Losing another forward, though — at a time when Liverpool only has two senior wingers, Gakpo and Federico Chiesa — is simply not something that can be entertained.Liverpool already has to sign two wide forwards this summer. Given the long-term nature of Hugo Ekitike's injury, adding a third — and letting Chiesa go — would probably be the best bet.In Gakpo, however, it has a player who has already proven himself capable of being a regular goalscorer when used correctly, and a winger who can become a very good squad option again under Andoni Iraola.