In the January 2023 transfer window, Liverpool were looking to add some attacking juice. They had already made a big splash in the previous summer market by signing Darwin Nunez from Benfica as their new starting striker – a more goal-scoring heir to the departing Roberto Firmino.
However, that wasn’t enough for Jurgen Klopp’s men, who were staring at the prospect of failing to make the Champions League (which, in fact, happened).
How much did Liverpool pay for Cody Gakpo?
Liverpool turned to one of the most talented players in the Dutch top flight, Gody Gakpo, signing the versatile forward from PSV for a total of 42 million euros. Some sources dispute the price or give a range, but the general quoted total is between 40 and 45 million euros.
How good was Cody Gakpo for PSV?
Gakpo was signed so that he could start on the left wing, in the attacking midfield, or even as a No. 9 if Nunez and Firmino were not available. The PSV star’s versatility attracted Liverpool, as did his 9 goals and 12 assists through just 14 Eredivisie matches in the first half of the 2022/23 campaign.
During the previous season, Gakpo scored 12 goals with 13 assists, averaging a whopping 2.3 key passes and 2.9 dribbles completed per game. And with 4 dribbles completed and 2.5 key passes per game in the Europa League that season, Liverpool were confident they were getting a young player who wasn’t just a flash in the pan and could make a step up to European competition.
Gakpo’s physical style of play, intelligence, and chance-creation made him seem like an ideal fit for Liverpool, who were investing in the best player in the Netherlands’ top league while he was still only 23.
They had Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, and Mohamed Salah as their starting trio, so Liverpool were not under any pressure to ask Gakpo to start every game up front or have unrealistic expectations.
How is Cody Gakpo doing since signing with Liverpool?
Gakpo showed promise in his first season with the Reds, scoring 7 goals while averaging 2.7 combined fouls drawn and dribbles completed per game.
In his second season, though, Gakpo has found playing time harder to come by, as Liverpool have found a more prolific attacking midfielder in RB Leipzig signing Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Dutch international has started just 13 games compared to 18 appearances off the bench. He is still playing a key rotational role for Liverpool and has 10 total goal contributions, but he hasn’t taken the next step many Kopites were expecting.
That said, Gakpo’s Europa League record remains strong. He has scored four goals with an assist in eight appearances in the competition, averaging two key passes and nearly three combined dribbles completed and fouls drawn.
Is Cody Gakpo a transfer flop?
A talented, all-around forward who can play any attacking position, Gakpo has actually met expectations and his price tag to this point as a useful role player in the Liverpool attack. He hasn’t been the star so far that many were hoping for, but that can still come.
For about 42 million euros, Liverpool viewed Gakpo as a borderline starter who could potentially become a key star in the team, and those wishes can still be fulfilled. Gakpo has been far from a flop, even if he’s not quite as “ready” as some anticipated.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.