Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo has broken his silence on the dramatic collapse of his £80 million move to Manchester City, revealing the emotional toll of a summer marked by both professional uncertainty and profound personal tragedy. The Dutch forward's potential switch to the Premier League champions fell through despite City's significant offer arriving late in the 2026 transfer window, leaving Gakpo to navigate one of the most challenging periods of his life both on and off the pitch.
The complexity of that turbulent summer extends far beyond football. Just weeks before Manchester City's ambitious attempt to lure him away from Anfield, Gakpo and his partner Noa van der Bij shared the devastating news that their unborn son, Elijah Raphael, had died during pregnancy. Speaking candidly to The Telegraph, Gakpo reflected on how these converging crises tested his resilience. "It was a difficult summer for me, my family and everything to do with football and life," he explained, emphasizing that the transfer saga unfolded against a backdrop of unimaginable personal heartbreak. "The summer was very tough, on all fronts. I just let it all sink in and saw how it would go, and it went this way."
While Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola had initially signaled his willingness to sell Gakpo as part of a broader attacking overhaul following Mohamed Salah's departure, the club ultimately pursued other targets instead. The Reds moved for Yankuba Minteh and Ismaïla Sarr but eventually settled on Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola, leaving Gakpo to remain at the club. Looking back, the 25-year-old acknowledged the scrutiny that comes with playing for an elite institution like Liverpool, accepting some of the criticism leveled at his performances last season. "When you play for a big club like Liverpool, you have to perform," he stated. "I know I could have done much better myself than last year. At Liverpool you have to win, perform and show that you are one of the best clubs in the world. We didn't do that last year, including myself."
As Gakpo looks to rebuild both his form and his life following such adversity, he has already made an impact this season with 3 goals and 1 assist for the Reds. The upcoming clash between Liverpool and Manchester City presents an opportunity for the resilient winger to demonstrate his qualities against the very club that came so close to acquiring him just months earlier. With his priorities now focused on enjoying life with his family and friends while contributing meaningfully on the pitch, Gakpo's journey forward appears defined by a determination to honor what truly matters.