I bet Cody Gakpo is pretty happy he didn’t end up at Manchester City now.
Obviously, I don’t know what he’s thinking and I wouldn’t pretend otherwise.
But when you look at how everything has played out, this could be one of those sliding doors moments that Gakpo looks back on in a few years and is very glad happened the way it did.
There was a point this summer when it looked like he could actually leave Liverpool.
Manchester City wanted him.
Liverpool received an £80 million offer and, according to reports, Gakpo was open to the move.
Then Liverpool changed their mind.
The deal was off.
And Gakpo stayed at Anfield.
At the time, I think plenty of Liverpool supporters were wondering whether the club had done the right thing.
Now I’m thinking absolutely.
Look at Gakpo.
He’s playing well.
He’s contributing.
He’s getting goals and assists.
And he looks like a player who has got his confidence back.
He was involved in Alexander Isak’s winner against Bournemouth, with the Dutchman now having assisted all four of Isak’s Premier League goals this season.
That’s the Gakpo I wanted to see.
Imagine if he’d gone to City
This is the bit that keeps making me think about it.
Gakpo could have been wearing a Manchester City shirt right now.
Instead, he’s still at Liverpool.
He could have been walking into the dressing room of one of Liverpool’s biggest rivals and trying to establish himself there.
Instead, he’s still at Anfield and playing an important role for Iraola.
And let’s be honest, Liverpool didn’t exactly let him go for peanuts.
City reportedly offered £80 million.
Liverpool still said no.
That tells you how much the club valued him when it came down to it.
The summer was clearly difficult for Gakpo
We also have to remember that this wasn’t a straightforward situation for him.
Gakpo has now spoken about how difficult the summer was and admitted Liverpool changed their minds about allowing him to leave.
When he was asked whether Liverpool had initially been prepared to let him go before changing their position, his answer was simply:
“Spot on.”
He also said that he couldn’t control what was happening and that all he could do was concentrate on playing football.
And I think that’s exactly what he’s done.
He’s got his head down and got on with it.
That’s all he could do.
And maybe staying was the best thing for him
I know some Liverpool supporters were disappointed when the City move fell through.
But I’ve never really wanted Gakpo to leave.
I’ve always thought there was a very good player in there.
Last season wasn’t good enough, and Gakpo himself admitted that. He said he knew he could have done much better.
Fair play to him for saying it.
But this season has already looked different.
He’s playing with more confidence.
He’s making things happen.
He’s linking up well with Isak.
And he looks like he has a real role in this Liverpool team.
Iraola clearly rates him as well, which is important.
The manager didn’t want to lose him and has continued to trust him since the transfer collapsed.
So perhaps Gakpo has ended up exactly where he needs to be.
And then there is City
I’m not going to get carried away with this because it’s still very early in the season.
But imagine if Gakpo had made that move and then looked at Liverpool now.
I think he’d be watching closely.
Liverpool are unbeaten.
Isak is scoring.
Gakpo is creating.
The new manager is gradually putting his own team together.
And there is clearly plenty more to come.
Meanwhile, City moved on and signed Iliman Ndiaye after Liverpool rejected their offer for Gakpo.
That’s football.
One door closes and another one opens.
I actually think Gakpo could have a big season
This is the part I’m most interested in.
Forget City for a minute.
Forget the transfer.
Forget the £80 million.
Cody Gakpo has another chance at Liverpool.
And I think he’s going to take it.
He’s still only 27.
He’s versatile.
He can play on the left, through the middle or even operate in different positions depending on what Iraola wants.
And now he’s got Isak to work with.
That could become a really good partnership.
We’ve already seen the connection between them.
If Gakpo keeps producing chances for Isak while adding goals of his own, Liverpool will have no complaints whatsoever about the decision to keep him.
And perhaps that’s the funny thing about football.
A few weeks ago, we were talking about whether Gakpo would still be a Liverpool player.
Now we’re talking about how important he could be.
That’s some turnaround.
So yes, I bet Gakpo is buzzing he didn’t end up at Manchester City.
Maybe he isn’t thinking about it at all.
Maybe he’s simply concentrating on Liverpool and getting on with his football.
But if he does look back on this summer one day, I reckon he’ll see it as a pretty important moment in his career.
Liverpool decided they weren’t prepared to let him go.
He stayed.
And now he’s getting the chance to show everyone why.
For me, that’s the real sliding doors moment.
Gakpo could have been in sky blue.
He’s in red.
And right now, I’m very happy about that.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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