Liverpool star is thriving despite competition from new signing

Liverpool star is thriving despite competition from new signing Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool Revival Under Andoni Iraola Could Be One of the Stories of the Season Cody Gakpo has opened the new campaign looking like a footballer determined to reshape the conversation around his Liverpool career. After a difficult 2025/26 season, and amid serious transfer interest from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, there was every chance the Dutch forward might drift further into uncertainty. Instead, the early signs point towards a player growing in confidence and importance under Andoni Iraola. According to Echo , Liverpool held firm when talks over a potential £85m move to City intensified following the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. That call is already appearing shrewd. In three Premier League matches this term, Gakpo has produced one goal and three assists, all for Alexander Isak, and those contributions have carried both quality and significance. What stands out most is the context. Gakpo came into this season after what was described as a deeply unhappy domestic campaign, during which he often found himself under scrutiny. There was also personal pain away from football, and that broader backdrop makes his response all the more notable. He has not allowed noise, disappointment or speculation to define his start. Transfer interest put Cody Gakpo under spotlight Liverpool’s summer was hardly short of moving parts, and Gakpo found himself at the centre of one of them. Manchester City entered the picture alongside long-standing interest from Tottenham, and for a period a switch away from Anfield looked possible. At that stage, Gakpo was even being used in an unfamiliar right-sided role by Iraola, adding another layer of intrigue to his situation. Yet the collapse of a proposed move now feels increasingly relevant in a positive sense for Liverpool. With alternatives such as Ismaila Sarr and Yankuba Minteh reportedly in consideration had Gakpo departed, the decision to stop negotiations has left Iraola with a player who appears ready to embrace a fresh tactical brief. There is substance to that optimism. Gakpo’s assist against Forest, created by a sharp turn and a precise ball across goal, showed his awareness of Isak’s movement. At Ipswich Town, his passing again caught the eye, particularly the wonderful outside-of-the-foot delivery that sent the Sweden striker through. These are not accidental numbers, they are moments of real attacking class. Alexander Isak partnership offers Liverpool real promise The connection with Isak could become one of Liverpool’s most important attacking themes this season. All three of Gakpo’s assists so far have been for the £125m forward, and there is a growing sense of understanding between the pair. For a side entering a new era under Iraola, those early relationships matter. Photo: IMAGO Virgil van Dijk offered revealing support after the 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. He said, “I don’t think only this season (he has been important),” before adding, “Obviously over the last seasons anyway. So yeah, I’m glad he stayed. I don’t think anyone knows what he’s been through.” The Liverpool captain continued, “So I don’t think it’s easy for the outside world to see what he’s had on his plate. What the reality is, I don’t think anyone needs to know that. But his reality is he’s here with us and he wants to be important for us.” He then concluded, “And he showed it already over numerous games, including the last two games before tonight and today again.” Those remarks feel important because they frame Gakpo’s form through a human lens as well as a football one. Teammates clearly recognise what he has had to handle, and the reaction from within the camp suggests his value extends beyond raw output. Andoni Iraola may have found new role for Gakpo One of the more interesting parts of this story is positional. Gakpo has made his name largely from the left, but Bradley Barcola’s arrival for £123m changes the shape of Liverpool’s attacking competition. That could mean opportunities on the right become more frequent for the Netherlands international. Rather than seeing that as a compromise, the early evidence suggests it may be another route for Gakpo to influence games. He has looked inventive from that side, willing to drift inside, combine quickly and pick out runners. If Iraola can continue to harness those qualities, Liverpool may have gained a more versatile and mature version of the player. There is also something to be said for mentality. After a transfer to the Etihad fell through, many players might have needed time to reset. Gakpo has instead looked sharp, engaged and productive from the outset. That response tells its own story. If he underwhelmed during the final phase of Arne Slot’s tenure, he was far from alone. Liverpool’s broader drop-off was severe, and individual performances suffered across the squad. Under Iraola, this already feels like a different environment, and Gakpo is one of the clearest early beneficiaries. Our View From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this report feels genuinely encouraging. Gakpo has always looked like a player with high-level tools, but the consistency has not always followed. What is heartening now is that he seems settled in his purpose, and there is a sense that Iraola sees a clear role for him. The biggest positive is that his contributions are not superficial. Three assists for Isak in the opening weeks points to chemistry, intelligence and timing. Liverpool need creators around Isak, especially after a summer of major change, and Gakpo looks capable of becoming one of the key suppliers in this side. Van Dijk’s words also land strongly. When a captain says, “I’m glad he stayed,” and speaks so openly about what a teammate has been through, it reinforces the feeling that Gakpo has real support inside the dressing room. Supporters will respond to that, particularly when the player is repaying faith with performances. There is healthy competition now with Barcola in the squad, but that should sharpen standards rather than push Gakpo aside. If anything, this could be the ideal scenario. Liverpool need depth, flexibility and resilience across the front line. Gakpo offers all three when he is confident. For fans, the hope is simple. Keep him fit, keep him involved, and keep building that understanding with Isak. If those things happen, this could become one of the more satisfying redemption arcs at Anfield this season.