Cody Gakpo has finally opened up about one of the most dramatic periods of his Liverpool career, admitting that he was prepared to leave Anfield for Manchester City during a hugely difficult summer for both his football and personal life.
The Dutch forward was reportedly close to joining City late in the summer transfer window, with reports claiming that an agreement had even been reached between the player and the Premier League champions.
However, Liverpool ultimately stepped in and made it clear that they did not want to lose one of their key attacking players — especially to a direct domestic rival.
The proposed move collapsed in the final stages of the transfer window, leaving Gakpo at Anfield.
Now, the 27-year-old has revealed just how difficult the entire situation was.
Gakpo admits he was ready for a new challenge
Speaking to The Times, Gakpo was asked about the possibility of leaving Liverpool and whether he had been ready to take on a new challenge at the Etihad Stadium.
When journalist Paul Joyce suggested that Gakpo had weighed up the pros and cons of the move before Liverpool ultimately decided to keep him, the Netherlands international admitted that the assessment was “spot on.”
Gakpo explained:
“It was a difficult summer for me and my family, and everything surrounding football and life.”
Rather than allowing the uncertainty to consume him, Gakpo said he simply had to accept whatever happened and concentrate on what he could control.
“I just let it come and it ended how it ended. I cannot choose, so then I have to just try to do what I’m good at, and that’s playing football.”
He added:
“I can be very worried about everything that could happen, or that didn’t happen, or whatever, but that wouldn’t help the situation.”
And when asked to describe the summer as a whole, Gakpo was blunt about how difficult it had been.
“It’s a very long story. The summer was very tough regarding everything, so I just let everything be and see how it came and it worked out in this way.”
A summer filled with enormous personal and football challenges
The transfer drama was only one part of an incredibly difficult period for Gakpo and his family.
Earlier in the summer, Gakpo and his partner, Noa van der Bij, suffered the heartbreaking loss of their stillborn son while the Liverpool forward was away representing the Netherlands.
Despite the unimaginable personal pain, Gakpo continued to represent his country and later returned to Liverpool determined to focus on football.
That makes his recent performances even more remarkable.
Instead of allowing the uncertainty surrounding his future to derail him, Gakpo has continued to perform at a high level for both club and country.
Liverpool fans will be delighted he stayed
There was a very real possibility that Gakpo could have ended up wearing the colours of Liverpool’s biggest domestic rivals.
For Liverpool supporters, the idea of seeing one of their attackers move to Manchester City would have been particularly painful.
The fact that Gakpo ultimately remained at Anfield means he now has the opportunity to continue building his Liverpool legacy.
And his recent form has offered another reminder of why the club were so determined to keep him.
Gakpo has looked increasingly dangerous in attack, contributing goals, energy and versatility while continuing to establish himself as an important part of Liverpool’s squad.
His latest international performance only added to that momentum, with the forward scoring a dramatic late equaliser for the Netherlands against Germany.
After everything he has experienced over the past few months, seeing Gakpo back on the pitch, performing at his best and enjoying his football will undoubtedly be welcomed by Liverpool supporters.
The Manchester City chapter may have come close to happening, but it ultimately never did.
Cody Gakpo remains a Liverpool player — and judging by his recent performances, he looks determined to make the most of it.
