When a new coach is brought in, there is understandably some uneasiness among the existing players.

Andoni Iraola’s arrival at Liverpool seems to have a squad regular feeling extremely worried about his future with the club. It’s a time of uncertainty for many players on the squad as we await to see the changes the former Bournemouth boss intends to make.

Credits : This Is Anfield

Cody Gakpo’s time at Liverpool

At the 2022 World Cup, Cody Gakpo caught the attention of numerous big clubs. The PSV winger and striker was pivotal to the Netherlands' success in Qatar, scoring in all three of their group fixtures as they earned a place in the last 16, going undefeated along the way.

Following the Netherlands quarter-final exit to Argentina, Jürgen Klopp and the Reds came calling, signing the Eindhoven-born attacker to a reported five-and-a-half-year contract for an estimated fee of over £44 million, at the time a record for the Eredivisie club.

Since joining Liverpool, he has shown to be extremely versatile. Not only has he been a solid contributor in the attacking third, but his imposing physical stature and his ability to operate in tight spaces have also been strong. He’s scored seven or more goals in every Premier League campaign since coming to Merseyside.

While he tends to stray offside frequently, Gakpo is still great at creating key passes and has been a valuable contributor to Liverpool during his time at the club.

In their 2024-25 title-winning season, he had a career-high 10 goals in the top flight as he really seemed to flourish under Arne Slot. Now that the former Feyenoord boss is out of the picture, Gakpo’s future is being questioned.

Cody Gakpo’s place in the Liverpool squad may be in doubt

Although he signed a long-term extension with Liverpool last year, Gakpo’s future with the club no longer appears secure. Sources have told TEAMtalk that the Dutchman is unhappy with the prospect of being further down the pecking order, potentially at the club next season. That said, the man who some believe might take his place in the starting 11, Rio Ngumoha, has also been linked to a move this summer.

Even so, reports continue to circulate that the club might want to sell him. It’s believed that Gakpo doesn’t feel good about his role on the team under the Spaniard.

The 27-year-old is said to have voiced those concerns with those close to him. Those people, in turn, are reportedly exploring other opportunities for him. While there’s been no suggestion that the Reds are shopping for him, Gakpo is not untouchable according to reports. That means if a significant offer is made, the club would entertain the idea of moving him, by all accounts.

Several clubs are said to be interested in Cody Gakpo

Gakpo was far from his best last season, but that doesn’t mean the interest in him has died down. As many as eight teams are said to be in the market for the Dutch attacker. Bayern Munich were reportedly in the market for his services last summer, and that interest doesn’t appear to have died down. Other interested clubs include AC Milan, Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Atlético Madrid and RB Leipzig. Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa are also supposedly exploring a potential move for him as well.

While few would argue that Arne Slot seemed to lose the room at Liverpool last season, it doesn’t appear like Gakpo had issues with him. The two were said to have had a very special bond, and with Slot now out, Gakpo could be feeling very different about his position with the team. Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is among those apparently pushing hard to add Gakpo to the London outfit this summer. 

Gakpo’s future may be in question at Liverpool, though he may play a factor in the squad’s desire to add a new face in the summer transfer window.