Cody Gakpo

Cody Gakpo began his football journey at a very young age, joining the youth academy of local club FC Eindhoven when he was just four years old. After four years, he moved to the academy of his boyhood club PSV Eindhoven. His breakthrough with Jong PSV came during the 2016–2017 season, although he continued to feature regularly for the U19s.

Gakpo made his professional debut for Jong PSV in November 2016 but would make just one further appearance that season. He became more involved the following year, making 12 appearances and scoring seven goals.

Gakpo made his senior debut for PSV’s first team in February 2018, coming on as a stoppage-time substitute in a 3–1 win over Feyenoord. He spent most of the first half of the 2018–2019 season as an unused substitute, but his hat-trick against Go Ahead Eagles for Jong PSV in December earned him greater attention.

A goal and an assist a few weeks later led to his first start for the first team against AZ Alkmaar. He scored his first Eredivisie goal in February 2019 against Fortuna Sittard, although it would be his only league goal that season.

His breakthrough campaign came the following year, as he registered seven goals and six assists in 25 league matches. Gakpo’s form continued to improve season by season, eventually becoming one of the Eredivisie’s top performers. This rise culminated in him being named Dutch Footballer of the Year for the 2021–2022 season, during which he contributed 36 goals and assists in 47 appearances.

He maintained that form into the first half of the next campaign, delivering 21 goal contributions in just 14 Eredivisie games. Gakpo left PSV in January 2023 having amassed 106 goal contributions in just 159 appearances and winning five trophies with the club.

In January 2023, Liverpool agreed a £37.5 million deal to bring Gakpo to Anfield—a record sale for PSV. Gakpo made a promising start to life in England, delivering 10 goal contributions in the Premier League while adapting to multiple roles as Liverpool pushed for Champions League qualification. The following season, he was mostly used from the bench but still managed a respectable 23 goal contributions in just over 3,000 minutes, and lifted his first trophy with the club as Liverpool won the Carabao Cup.

This season has been Cody Gakpo’s best on Merseyside, as he has secured regular football in his preferred position on the left wing under fellow Dutchman Arne Slot. He has recorded an impressive 17 goals and 6 assists in just 2,400 minutes so far, developing a reputation for scoring in crucial moments. While he continues to share game time with Luis Díaz, Gakpo’s performances have silenced any lingering doubts about whether he could replicate the form he showed in the Netherlands.

Speaking after Liverpool clinched the Premier League title following a win against Spurs—in which he also found the net—Gakpo revealed that he initially struggled to adapt due to being asked to play in various positions.

Now, with a consistent run in his favoured role, he feels better equipped to influence matches. At the peak of his career, Gakpo is becoming a key figure for Liverpool. His standout attributes include his physicality, intelligent attacking positioning, and ability to shrug off defenders when dribbling.

  • 7 May 1999

  • Dutch

  • Premier League (2024-25)

    Carabao Cup (2024)

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