Liverpool have just told supporters why they will surely not sell Cody Gakpo this summer
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Though he continues to shine at the World Cup for the Netherlands, Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool future remains uncertain this summer.The Dutchman had a really poor campaign after being given the chance to nail down his spot as the Reds’ starting left winger, scoring only nine times across 52 appearances.This has led to rumours that Gakpo could leave Liverpool, and it reportedly has not been ruled out that the 27-year-old could go, with Bradley Barcola potentially in line to replace him. Both are free and available… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC But while Barcola would be an exciting addition, and would surely turf Gakpo out of the way as a regular starter, it does not have to be one or the other for Liverpool.As BBC Sport report on Thursday, the Reds see Gakpo as a ‘proven attacker in the Premier League who can function in different ways,’ naming his possible use as a central striker as being beneficial to Liverpool while Hugo Ekitike remains injured.
With the Reds seemingly not seeking a direct replacement for Ekitike, Gakpo surely has to stay to provide cover for Alexander Isak.Gakpo has to be Alexander Isak’s back-upThe line that has been repeated many times as Liverpool look for new forwards this summer is that the Reds are looking for players who can feature across the forward line.This is partly true of Barcola, who does have the versatility to play centrally, but he has much more regularly featured as a winger, which is where he can best make use of his main asset: his lightning pace.Yan Diomande could potentially be a striker option for Liverpool as well, but the RB Leipzig man is reportedly seen as a natural option on the right wing, while he played on the left of Ivory Coast’s attack during last weekend’s match against Germany.Then there is Victor Munoz, who, it has been claimed, can be used through the middle. But Munoz is 5 foot 8 inches, and it is hard to see how that translates in the current rough and tumble of the Premier League.Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Who are Liverpool’s likely summer signings as Reds fans told they could buy five moreGakpo, as Liverpool note, is very much proven in the Premier League, even if he has not shown it recently.Some of his better performances last season came while playing centrally towards the end of the campaign, and that alone should be enough to keep him around at least while Ekitike continues to recover.Isak will surely miss games at some stage of 2026/27, and with Gakpo to come in, Liverpool have a fairly reliable option who can step in and start where necessary.Liverpool must plan for Isak concernAlthough it is obviously tempting for Liverpool fans to want to cash in and sell Gakpo after such a poor season, the club need to be more measured.If a good offer – above £60m – arrives for the Netherlands star, there is clearly a decision to be made.
How does Andoni Iraola get the Netherlands version of Cody Gakpo for Liverpool? Liverpool have been warned.