Though he continues to shine at the World Cup for the Netherlands, Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool future remains uncertain this summer.
The Dutchman had a really poor campaign after being given the chance to nail down his spot as the Reds’ starting left winger, scoring only nine times across 52 appearances.
This has led to rumours that Gakpo could leave Liverpool, and it reportedly has not been ruled out that the 27-year-old could go, with Bradley Barcola potentially in line to replace him.
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But while Barcola would be an exciting addition, and would surely turf Gakpo out of the way as a regular starter, it does not have to be one or the other for Liverpool.
As BBC Sport report on Thursday, the Reds see Gakpo as a ‘proven attacker in the Premier League who can function in different ways,’ naming his possible use as a central striker as being beneficial to Liverpool while Hugo Ekitike remains injured. With the Reds seemingly not seeking a direct replacement for Ekitike, Gakpo surely has to stay to provide cover for Alexander Isak.
Gakpo has to be Alexander Isak’s back-up
The line that has been repeated many times as Liverpool look for new forwards this summer is that the Reds are looking for players who can feature across the forward line.
This is partly true of Barcola, who does have the versatility to play centrally, but he has much more regularly featured as a winger, which is where he can best make use of his main asset: his lightning pace.
Yan Diomande could potentially be a striker option for Liverpool as well, but the RB Leipzig man is reportedly seen as a natural option on the right wing, while he played on the left of Ivory Coast’s attack during last weekend’s match against Germany.
Then there is Victor Munoz, who, it has been claimed, can be used through the middle. But Munoz is 5 foot 8 inches, and it is hard to see how that translates in the current rough and tumble of the Premier League.
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Gakpo, as Liverpool note, is very much proven in the Premier League, even if he has not shown it recently.
Some of his better performances last season came while playing centrally towards the end of the campaign, and that alone should be enough to keep him around at least while Ekitike continues to recover.
Isak will surely miss games at some stage of 2026/27, and with Gakpo to come in, Liverpool have a fairly reliable option who can step in and start where necessary.
Liverpool must plan for Isak concern
Although it is obviously tempting for Liverpool fans to want to cash in and sell Gakpo after such a poor season, the club need to be more measured.
If a good offer – above £60m – arrives for the Netherlands star, there is clearly a decision to be made. But Liverpool risk leaving themselves short yet again if they sell him.
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Even if Barcola does come in, the Reds would arguably still need to find another option to play through the middle.
If Isak was as robust as, say, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino, and they could rely on him for 40 or 50 games per season, this would not be an issue. But the Swede is just not that player, and Liverpool know that.
Keeping Gakpo gives them the option to rotate at times, and although he is not at the level of Isak, the No. 18 can at least keep things ticking until Ekitike is ready to come back fully, which could in theory take the whole of the season.
If they do decide to cut their losses and sell Gakpo, there can be no complaining if Munoz, Barcola or whoever else is tasked with playing back-up to Isak, proves not to be up to it. Liverpool have been warned.
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