Cody Gakpo Central to Liverpool's Plans After Transfer Collapse

Liverpool have parked any idea of cashing in on Cody Gakpo and are instead preparing to build around the Dutchman after his big-money move to Manchester City collapsed at the last moment.

All summer, Gakpo looked like the one major sale Liverpool were prepared to sanction. Fresh from an impressive World Cup with the Netherlands and a sharp start to the 2026/27 campaign, he drew serious interest from both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool, for their part, set clear financial conditions. Meet the price, and they would listen.

Both City and Spurs did exactly that.

According to Dutch outlet Dagblad, an agreement was in place over a package worth around €100m – the level at which Liverpool were ready to let Gakpo go. Both Premier League rivals were prepared to hit that figure. When it came to the player’s choice, he picked City as his next destination.

Then the move died.

Dagblad reported that Gakpo held talks with Liverpool’s owners on Tuesday, “partly to clear the air,” after discovering that, despite the financial green light, he would not be allowed to join City. What had seemed a straightforward, if painful, sale was suddenly off. No late twist. No alternative buyer. “It now appears that there will definitely be no other deal,” the report concluded.

From sale asset to key pillar – the shift has been abrupt.

Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke now claims Liverpool have drawn up a very different plan: Gakpo is expected to play a “key” role for the rest of the season, with his versatility a major factor in the club’s U-turn.

“Gakpo will be a key player for Liverpool this season, definitely,” O’Rourke said, pointing to the winger’s immediate impact. He struck on the opening weekend against Newcastle and followed it up with a smart assist against Nottingham Forest, underlining why Liverpool were reluctant to lose him without a fight.

His ability to operate across the front line – and slot into various attacking roles as the system demands – has become too valuable to sacrifice. Liverpool did not bring in a like-for-like replacement during the window, and that lack of cover only hardened their stance as City pushed to replace Savio in the final days.

“They obviously considered Man City’s offer, they were willing to pay top dollar for Cody Gakpo, but in the end Liverpool decided to keep him,” O’Rourke added. The decision, he suggested, shines a light on Andoni Iraola’s influence. The new head coach simply did not want to lose the Dutchman.

For Iraola, Gakpo is not a luxury piece. He is a cornerstone. A forward who can score, create, and shift position to unlock different shapes and pressing triggers. In a season where Liverpool are trying to evolve under a new manager while staying competitive at the top, that profile matters as much as any transfer fee.

City thought they were close to landing him. Tottenham believed the door was open. Instead, Liverpool have turned the lock and handed Gakpo a central role in whatever success they can carve out this season.