Iraola delighted to keep 'valuable' Cody Gakpo at Liverpool after Man City move fails | OneFootball

Andoni Iraola has said he is glad that Cody Gakpo has remained at Liverpool after a failed move to Manchester City.

Liverpool held talks with Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur over the potential sale of Gakpo, with the Dutch international open to a move to the former.

City failed to meet Liverpool's asking price of around £85m, while the Reds refused to sanction his sale after failing to find a replacement.

Discussing the 27-year-old's situation, Iraola said he's pleased that Gakpo remains a part of his squad after a positive start to the season.

"Cody is a very smart player. My relationship with him has been honest since the beginning. He has performed with us very well, in all the pre-season games, in all the games. He scored in the first game, assisted in the next one," Iraola said at hispre-match press conference ahead of facing Ipswich Town tomorrow.

"He was well aware of the situation in the market - we were constantly talking with each other. He has trained very well and I hope we keep him at the same level. He is in a good place, physically, mentally.

"I am glad to keep Cody because he is a valuable player."

“I am happy with the wingers we have”: Iraola backs balance after Gakpo stays and Barcola, Munoz bolster Liverpool

Gakpo will form part of Liverpool's wide options for the season, alongside Rio Ngumoha and new signings Victor Munoz andBradley Barcola. Each of those names favours a position on the left, but Iraola is not concerned by the balance of his squad.

"I think we would have preferred in the end to have the best players than a player for a specific position. I am used to demand all the wingers to play from both sides.

"I know they normally have their preferred position, but we have been playing with Victor [Munoz], Cody [Gakpo], Rio [Ngumoha], in pre-season and in competitions on the right side.

"I think probably they have played more on the left. I have seen them in a good place on the right, probably Rio is more specific from the left side, but I think he has the willingness to improve and play on the right side.

"Even Bradley [Barcola], I think he is very open and I think he can play right and left. He started on the right side when he started with Lyon and it will depend on the match-ups, but I am happy with the wingers we have in those positions."