Could Selling Gakpo Secure Salah’s Replacement? | OneFootball

Is It Time for Liverpool to Cash In on Cody Gakpo?

The arrival of Andoni Iraola as Liverpool’s new head coach will bring excitement, intensity, and perhaps most importantly, a fresh evaluation of every player within the squad.

One player whose future may suddenly become uncertain is Cody Gakpo.

The Dutch international possesses undeniable quality. His technical ability is excellent, his finishing can be clinical, and he remains a respected figure throughout European football. Yet despite those attributes, it is difficult to argue that he has consistently delivered the level required to become a cornerstone of Liverpool’s future.

Last season was a frustrating campaign and the fan base grew tired of many of his weak performances.

There were moments of quality, occasional goals, and flashes of brilliance, but too often his performances felt repetitive. Defenders increasingly appeared comfortable facing him because they knew what was coming. The tendency to drift inside onto his stronger foot and search for a shooting angle became predictable and often slowed Liverpool’s attacking momentum.

Under Arne Slot, that limitation was regularly exposed. Under Iraola, it may become even more apparent.

The Spaniard demands relentless movement, aggressive pressing, direct running, and constant attacking variation. His wide players are expected to stretch opponents, attack space repeatedly, and create uncertainty for defenders.

That has not always been Gakpo’s strength.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of his season was the lack of chemistry developed with Milos Kerkez on Liverpool’s left flank. Modern attacking football relies heavily on relationships between full-backs and wingers. Yet despite Kerkez’s willingness to overlap and attack the outside channel, Gakpo often drifted into central areas without creating the fluid partnership Liverpool desperately needed.

If Iraola is determined to build a more dynamic and aggressive side, he may conclude that other players are simply better suited to those demands.

A £60 Million Sale Could Accelerate Liverpool’s Rebuild

Football decisions are rarely made in isolation.

If Liverpool were considering moving Gakpo on, they would not simply be removing a player from the squad. They would be creating opportunities elsewhere.

A transfer fee in the region of £60 million remains realistic given Gakpo’s age, international pedigree, and reputation across Europe. Numerous Champions League clubs would likely view him as an attractive addition, particularly those operating in leagues where tactical structures allow attacking players greater freedom.

That kind of income could be significant.

Liverpool still needs to address life after Mohamed Salah, as the opposite flank remains vacant due to the departure of an all-time great. The club also needs greater pace and power throughout the attacking line if Iraola’s preferred style is to flourish.

Generating a substantial fee from Gakpo’s departure would provide additional flexibility within the transfer market.

It would also create more opportunities internally.

Florian Wirtz increasingly looks destined to occupy the inside-left role within Liverpool’s attacking structure. His creativity, movement, and ability to dictate play from that area make him a natural fit for the position.

Meanwhile, Rio Ngumoha continues to emerge as one of the brightest young talents at the club.

The teenager needs minutes. He needs opportunities. And he needs a pathway.

Keeping Gakpo may limit those chances.

Ultimately, this is not a criticism of the Dutch forward. He remains a talented footballer capable of succeeding at the highest level.

The question is whether he is the right footballer for the next Liverpool project.

With Iraola now leading the club into a new era, difficult decisions will need to be made.

Cody Gakpo may be one of them.