Gakpo's Future at Liverpool: Time to Commit or Cash In?

Liverpool face a tough call over Cody Gakpo as transfer interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur continues to intensify.

Having shone during Arne Slot's maiden Premier League title-winning season, the Dutch attacker endured a significant dip in form under his fellow countryman last campaign. With neither goals nor assists reaching double figures, questions over his future hang in the air as the Andoni Iraola era gets underway.

While Liverpool have no immediate desire to offload the 27-year-old, a dilemma may be looming. Fabrizio Romano reports that Tottenham "plan to step up their efforts" to land Gakpo and that "talks will enter into key stages soon."

No asking price has been set yet, but the Reds, who are already light on wide options, will expect a substantial return on the initial $45 million (£37 million) they paid Dutch club PSV Eindhoven back in December 2022.

A compelling Spurs offer could be hard for Liverpool to turn down, though moving Gakpo on with just a month left in the transfer window would carry considerable risk.

Gakpo's Frustrating 2025–26 Campaign

Gakpo was far from the only Liverpool player to experience a sharp decline last season. Mohamed Salah's underwhelming performances stood out most, while Ibrahima Konaté and Alexis Mac Allister also endured difficult individual campaigns. Yet the forward cannot use his teammates' struggles as a shield.

In 2025–26, Gakpo's goal return dropped by half compared to the previous season. Of the nine goals he managed throughout the campaign, just two arrived between early February and late May, highlighting how severely his confidence eroded.

Such a dramatic decline naturally attracted criticism. Liverpool's fanbase grew increasingly frustrated with his ineffective and, above all, predictable play. His go-to move of cutting inside onto his right foot to create shooting opportunities became easier and easier for opponents to read as the season progressed.

The World Cup was seen as a chance for Gakpo to rediscover his best form. The Netherlands international has often performed at a higher level for his national side, yet his three tournament goals were completely overshadowed by the heartbreaking news of his wife's miscarriage just days before their round of 32 exit to Morocco.

Given those circumstances, he was granted an extended summer break and has yet to link up with new manager Iraola and his Liverpool teammates for preseason preparations.

Liverpool's Winger Woes

Liverpool's priority this summer is acquiring wingers, not parting with them. Following Salah's departure on a free transfer, Iraola's wide options are extremely limited, even accounting for new signing Victor Muñoz — a member of Spain's World Cup-winning squad.

Beyond Muñoz and Gakpo, Liverpool have just two natural wide players. Federico Chiesa appears intent on staying and competing for a spot this summer, though Iraola may see him more as a backup striker than a genuine wide forward. Meanwhile, highly-rated 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha is expected to enjoy a breakthrough campaign, but realistic expectations must be maintained given his youth and limited top-level experience.

Florian Wirtz was frequently deployed as a left winger by Slot last season, but Iraola has confirmed he plans to use the German in a central attacking midfield role. Harvey Elliott, who spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, has operated as a winger in the past but favours a midfield position and may still depart Anfield before the window shuts.

Hugo Ekitiké represents another left-wing option — potentially his permanent role on Merseyside — but the Frenchman suffered a ruptured Achilles in April and may not be fit to return until 2027.

Liverpool's eagerness to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola speaks volumes about their need for attacking reinforcements. If Gakpo were to depart, the club would need to bring in two wingers to be adequately prepared for Iraola's first full season in charge.

Should Liverpool Ditch Gakpo?

Liverpool's position on Gakpo hinges entirely on what Spurs are willing to offer. The Daily Mail reports the club currently have no plans to sell him, but a "huge" bid could prompt a rethink.

The initiative, therefore, lies with Tottenham. Should an offer exceeding, say, $80 million (£60 million) land on Liverpool's desk, the club will face a genuinely difficult choice.

Such a fee would be extremely hard to dismiss. Gakpo will turn 28 before the upcoming season wraps up, though he still has three years remaining on his contract. Another poor campaign would see his market value drop and the pool of interested clubs shrink. In essence, Liverpool would be betting on him rediscovering his best form.

The issue is that Gakpo's ceiling is not especially high. A 25-goal season in 2026–27 or beyond seems unlikely, and he has never registered more than six assists in a single campaign for the club. He lacks the pace, sharpness, or technical brilliance to suddenly flourish under Iraola's system.

With Liverpool chasing a high-profile deal for Barcola and additional squad reinforcements before the summer window closes, the club could come to regret turning down a substantial offer for Gakpo.