Cody Gakpo admits he didn’t expect Liverpool to sack Arne Slot amid rumours he could leave too

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Cody Gakpo has admitted that he and his Liverpool teammates did not expect to see Arne Slot leave the club this summer.

Slot was sacked last Saturday and swiftly replaced by Andoni Iraola, with supporters pleased to see what had begun to feel like a necessary change.

The reaction from the Liverpool players so far has been muted, though, with Gakpo now speaking to ESPN Netherlands with a slightly sombre tone.

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Gakpo thinks it’s a ‘shame’ to see Slot sacked

Gakpo is, of course, preparing for the World Cup with the Netherlands, and when asked whether Slot’s sacking had affected his feelings ahead of the tournament, he dismissed any notion of that.

“No, that is unrelated,” he replied. “But it is of course a shame that the manager has been sacked. Especially after a season in which we fought to reach the Champions League. I believe the club has released a statement with an explanation.

“Ultimately, I don’t think any player saw this coming,” Gakpo added. “But it did happen. Besides that, many of our players are now working towards the World Cup. So I think we need to put it behind us quickly, no matter how difficult it may be for someone.”

Gakpo also confirmed that he had sent a private message to Slot ‘to thank him for the past two years.’ “Last season was of course the highlight,” he said. “Great memories.”

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Gakpo may follow Slot out of Liverpool exit door

In the eyes of many supporters, Slot had an unjustified bias towards playing Gakpo, despite the No. 18 being woefully short of form last season.

While that may be hyperbole, news has filtered through that Gakpo could leave Liverpool now that his compatriot has gone.

Journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed as much on Friday, claiming that teams are interested in the 27-year-old, and Liverpool may consider a sale if a good offer arrives.

Reds fans were perhaps overly harsh on both Slot and Gakpo last season, but, harshly or not, many will still be pleased if the former PSV forward joins his old boss in finding a new club.