The Cody Gakpo to Tottenham speculation doesn’t appear to be going away, but Liverpool supporters may have been handed some encouraging news.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Alex Crook says he doesn’t expect Gakpo to leave Liverpool for Tottenham before the transfer deadline, despite the Dutch forward potentially being open to the move.
Crook says sources at Liverpool believe Gakpo has enjoyed a very good pre-season under Andoni Iraola and that the club feel the new manager can get the best out of him.
And that could be crucial.
Liverpool want to keep Gakpo
There has been plenty of speculation about Tottenham’s interest in Gakpo, but Liverpool’s position has consistently been that they would prefer to keep him.
That stance could change if the Reds manage to bring in the attacking reinforcements they want, particularly Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye.
But until that happens, Liverpool have little reason to sell a player who could be extremely important to Iraola.
👀 Iraola could be the key
Perhaps the most interesting part of Crook’s comments is what Liverpool apparently think about Gakpo’s development under Iraola.
The feeling inside the club is that the Dutchman has had a good pre-season and that Iraola can get even more out of him.
We’ve already seen Gakpo involved heavily during pre-season, and the new manager appears to value what he brings to the attack.
That’s important because Gakpo isn’t simply another winger.
He can play from the left, operate centrally and provide Liverpool with a physical presence in the final third.
With Alexander Isak now leading the line and Florian Wirtz operating behind him, Gakpo could become a very useful part of Iraola’s attacking system.
Could Gakpo still want Tottenham?
Crook believes Gakpo would probably be open to the move.
That’s understandable.
Tottenham are building a new project under Roberto De Zerbi and could offer Gakpo a prominent role.
But being open to a transfer and actually leaving Liverpool are two very different things.
At the moment, Crook doesn’t expect the deal to happen.
And that’s something Liverpool fans should welcome.
Barcola could change everything
There is still one big variable.
Bradley Barcola.
Liverpool remain interested in the PSG winger, and Barcola is reportedly keen on moving to Anfield. Recent reports have suggested PSG could lower their asking price, although Liverpool still have concerns over the valuation.
If Liverpool sign Barcola — and potentially Mbaye as well — then the situation surrounding Gakpo could become much more complicated.
But until those players arrive, Liverpool need Gakpo.
And that’s why I wouldn’t sell him.
We’ve seen too many situations where Liverpool have allowed an established player to leave before securing his replacement.
Gakpo has already shown that he can score important goals, contribute from different positions and provide a different dimension to the attack.
If Iraola genuinely believes he can take Gakpo to another level, why sell him now?
For now, Gakpo stays
The latest information suggests Tottenham’s interest is genuine, and Gakpo may be tempted by the opportunity.
But Liverpool’s current stance is clear.
They want to keep him.
And if Alex Crook’s information is correct, Liverpool supporters shouldn’t expect to see Cody Gakpo walking through the doors at Tottenham before deadline day.
For me, that’s good news.
Let Iraola work with him.
Give him a proper opportunity in this new Liverpool team.
And then see just how good Cody Gakpo can become under his new manager.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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