Now Worth More Than Trent: Liverpool Struck Gold With Player Pep Ljinders Dubbed “Special”
Trent Alexander-Arnold showed remarkable composure when England needed it most, confidently scoring the decisive penalty in the quarter-final shootout against Switzerland to secure a place in the Euro 2024 semi-finals, where they will face the Netherlands.
This summer, the Liverpool vice-captain has found himself on the fringes, having been shifted into a central midfield role during England’s opener and struggling to unite the team against Serbia.
Despite the challenges, Liverpool fans can take comfort in knowing that their homegrown talent remains one of the best in the game.
With Real Madrid showing interest and his contract entering its final year, there is growing concern about the 25-year-old’s future. His technical skill and influence at Anfield are irreplaceable.
Nevertheless, despite his many strengths, he is not the most valuable player in Arne Slot’s squad, as one of Jurgen Klopp’s more recent signings has surpassed him in importance.
The individual in question is Cody Gakpo, who is beginning to demonstrate the potential Liverpool hoped for when they signed him from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023.
Liverpool invested £35 million in the Netherlands international after his outstanding performances in the Dutch Eredivisie and his notable showing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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 6% for shot-creating actions, the top 7% for progressive passes, the top 11% for successful take-ons, and the top 8% for tackles per 90 minutes.
While Liverpool may not feel they have fully reaped the benefits of their investment yet, Gakpo remains a distinctive attacking asset who could thrive under Slot’s leadership in just over a month.
Cody Gakpo’s Market Value in 2024
Praised for his “special skill set” by Klopp’s former assistant manager Pep Lijnders, Gakpo hasn’t seen a dramatic rise in his market value since joining Liverpool. However, his steady progress is evident in his impressive record of 23 goals and nine assists across just 46 starts.
The 25-year-old is excelling at the Euros, having scored three goals and provided an assist in five matches for Oranje, who are set to face England in the semifinals on Wednesday. Though he has much more to offer, this performance highlights the immense talent the Reds possess in him.
Although some of the market prices listed may appear low, they have been carefully calculated to identify the most valuable and marketable players from Anfield. Alexander-Arnold, despite his impressive talent, is valued at £33m, possibly due to his current contract situation.
| Football Transfers’ Most Valuable LFC Players | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Market Value |
| 1. | Dominik Szoboszlai | £46m |
| 2. | Alexis Mac Allister | £45m |
| 3. | Darwin Nunez | £43m |
| 4. | Cody Gakpo | £40m |
| 5. | Luis Diaz | £36m |
Fans may be eager for new signings at Merseyside, but if Alexander-Arnold remains and Gakpo is given the freedom to excel under his compatriot’s guidance, Liverpool could discover they possess the resources to achieve the illustrious success they deeply desire.
In other Liverpool news, Huge Boost for Slot as Liverpool Star Reports for Duty to Begin Pre-season Training
