This dynamic Klopp star is starting to prove his worth at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s final farewell is imminent, and Liverpool are in an exciting position to continue his legacy and vie for top trophies in the coming years.
A new structure is in place, with Feyenoord manager Arne Slot soon to be announced as Anfield’s new head coach, selected by the discerning Michael Edwards from a pool of candidates.
Liverpool will forever be grateful for Klopp’s historic tenure on Merseyside. He revitalised a struggling Anfield, transforming it into a center of success by winning both the Premier League and the Champions League.
As Liverpool undergo a transition, they must ensure that their summer transfer activities help them close the gap on Arsenal and Manchester City, while also positioning them to perform well in the Champions League next season.
There has been considerable discussion about Liverpool’s forwards. Mohamed Salah’s contract expires in 13 months, and both Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez have been linked with moves to Barcelona.
Diogo Jota is not going anywhere: the Portuguese forward boasts the best goal-per-minute rate (114) of any Liverpool player who has featured more than five times this season.
Cody Gakpo, who transferred from PSV Eindhoven for £35m in January 2023, has faced criticism but has found excellent form at the perfect time, proving his worth ahead of Slot’s arrival.
Cody Gakpo’s Season in Numbers
Gakpo’s profile soared following a remarkable performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he netted three goals for the Netherlands during the group stage. Despite their subsequent loss to Argentina in a penalty shootout in the round of 16, Gakpo’s talents were widely recognized, with Fabrizio Romano describing him as “something special” for his impressive displays.
While Manchester United were considered the frontrunners to acquire the dynamic forward, Liverpool made a stealthy move to sign Gakpo, securing his transfer six months before the legendary Roberto Firmino’s departure from Anfield at the end of his contract.
He joined Merseyside during a challenging period for Liverpool, as the team was experiencing a significant decline. Despite this, Gakpo managed to score seven goals and provide three assists in 17 starts in the English Premier League.
This season, Gakpo has played 52 matches across all competitions, scoring 16 goals and adding seven assists. His contributions have been pivotal in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup victory and their overall resurgence. Only Salah and Nunez have scored more goals than him this season.
While he has faced criticism for some of his performances throughout the campaign, Gakpo has shown considerable improvement since December, demonstrating his increasing effectiveness on the field.
| Cody Gakpo PL 23/24: 1st vs 2nd half | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Starts | Goals | Assists | |
| First 19 fixtures | 17 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| Last 18 fixtures | 17 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
| Stats via Transfermarkt | ||||
Gakpo’s improvement in scoring highlight his dedication and resilient mindset. However, Liverpool fans can be confident that his statistics have consistently reflected his elite talent.
According to FBref, Gakpo ranks in the top 18% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 8% for shot-creating actions, the top 16% for pass completion, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 16% for progressive carries, the top 8% for successful take-ons, and the top 6% for tackles per 90 minutes.
The 6 foot 1 star has been garnering attention for his sharp finishing skills lately, but it’s his versatile approach to the game that has truly fueled his recent improvement, maintaining his diverse skill set and reaping the rewards.
Gakpo’s fellow countryman Slot has enjoyed a string of successful years at Feyenoord, but Edwards and his team were drawn to appoint him for his structured tactics, purposeful pressing, and innate interpersonal abilities, making him an ideal successor to Klopp.
Gakpo brings a dynamic and diverse range of qualities to the table, and with Slot set to join Anfield, there’s every possibility that he’ll continue to thrive after hitting top form at just the right moment.
Cody Gakpo’s Market Value in 2024
As per Football Transfers, Gakpo has ascended to a significant role among the most prized players on his team, with just a handful of stars currently holding a higher valuation.
| Liverpool: Highest-rated Players | ||
|---|---|---|
| # | Player | Market value |
| 1. | Dominik Szoboszlai | £51m |
| 2. | Alexis Mac Allister | £46m |
| 3. | Mohamed Salah | £45m |
| 3. | Darwin Nunez | £45m |
| 5. | Cody Gakpo | £43m |
| 6. | Trent Alexander-Arnold | £42m |
| 6. | Luis Diaz | £42m |
| Sourced via Football Transfers | ||
While, according to Football Transfers’ evaluation system, Gakpo’s acquisition by Liverpool hasn’t seen a significant increase in transfer fee, it’s noteworthy that these fees are relatively modest, particularly when compared to Dominik Szoboszlai, who stands as the club’s highest financial investment at £51 million.
Nevertheless, Gakpo has nearly doubled his market value from £27 million at the time of his transfer from PSV, indicating substantial growth potential that Slot, the manager, will likely seek to nurture and develop further.
It’s worth noting that Gakpo’s current valuation surpasses that of both Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold, albeit marginally. This underscores the Dutch star’s upward trajectory.
Diaz recently claimed Liverpool’s Player of the Month award for April, while Alexander-Arnold, the club’s vice-captain, is widely regarded as one of the most influential players in global football.
Jamie Carragher even likened Alexander-Arnold’s impact to that of Kevin De Bruyne, emphasising his prowess at right-back.
Liverpool have experienced a promising season, marked by periods of success and potential for further achievements. While there’s still work to be done, Gakpo’s development is a positive sign, suggesting that Slot may have a burgeoning star yet to fully realize his potential at Anfield.
In other Liverpool news, Liverpool to ‘Bite Arsenal’s Arm Off’ With Edwards Backed to Snap Up £50m Star Arteta Could Replace