£35m Liverpool player all set to sign new contract and extend stay at Anfield

Liverpool are moving fast as the transfer window enters its final days, and while most of the headlines have focused on big possible arrivals like Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi, one important story has been quietly developing in the background. A story that might not carry the same noise as a £100m signing but one that could shape the very heart of Liverpool’s attack for years to come. Cody Gakpo, the Dutch forward who joined Liverpool for £35m from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, is now on the verge of signing a brand new contract at Anfield.

For many fans, this news comes as both a relief and a reminder. A relief because Bayern Munich and other clubs had been circling earlier in the summer, sensing an opportunity. And a reminder because Gakpo, though sometimes overshadowed by more glamorous teammates like Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, or the incoming Hugo Ekitike, has been quietly brilliant for Liverpool. He is not the loudest, not the flashiest, and not always the headline-maker, but his impact has been consistent and undeniable.

Since arriving from PSV, Gakpo has contributed 58 goals and assists in 131 appearances. That kind of return from a player who has often been rotated, shifted across positions, and even sacrificed tactically for the team shows a level of reliability that managers dream of. At 26 years old, he is entering his prime years, and Arne Slot has made it clear: Cody Gakpo is not just part of Liverpool’s squad, he is central to the project.

The timing of this new deal is also symbolic. Liverpool are in the middle of trying to reshape their squad for another title charge. With Newcastle close to signing Stuttgart’s Nick Woltemade, the door seems wide open for Liverpool to finally land Alexander Isak. The idea of a front line featuring Isak, Salah, Wirtz, and Ekitike has sent shivers through rival defences already, but in all of this excitement, the question has been: what about Gakpo?

The answer, it seems, is loyalty and trust. Reports from the Netherlands, particularly from respected journalist Rik Elfrink, reveal that Gakpo is very close to signing a new long-term deal at Anfield. His current contract, signed after his PSV move, runs until 2028, but Liverpool want to extend that further and secure his future. It’s a show of faith, not just in his ability but in his mentality, his professionalism, and his connection with the club.

For Gakpo, this is also a statement. He was once the golden boy of PSV, adored in Eindhoven, where he captained the team and carried them on his shoulders. Moving to Liverpool was a gamble. He joined during a turbulent season, and expectations were high. Some wondered if he could handle the Premier League, if he could step up from Eredivisie to the most demanding league in the world. The answer has been clear: yes. And not just handle it—thrive in it.

His first half-season in 2022/23 saw him play 26 times and score seven goals, along with two assists. The following year, he exploded, making 53 appearances, scoring 16 goals, and assisting six more. That season, Liverpool lifted the Carabao Cup, and Gakpo was a key contributor. Last season, he went even further, bagging 18 goals and six assists in 49 appearances as Liverpool reclaimed the Premier League crown. His consistency across competitions has been one of the secrets of Liverpool’s strength.

This season, Gakpo has started on fire again. Three games into the new campaign, he already has one goal and two assists. He is proving once again that while others grab headlines, he quietly delivers. That is why Arne Slot has so much trust in him. Slot, who knows him well from their time in Dutch football, sees in Gakpo not just a forward but a complete professional who can adapt to different systems and roles.

The biggest question for fans now is: where will Gakpo fit if Liverpool complete the signing of Isak? Some believe he will be the one to drop out of the starting XI, with Ekitike set to play on the left and Isak down the middle. But football is never that simple. Liverpool are in four major competitions this season—Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup. Squad depth is no luxury, it is a necessity. Injuries, suspensions, fatigue, and tactical switches will mean every attacker has their moment. Gakpo, far from being sidelined, will be one of the most important rotation options in the team, and his versatility means he can play across the front line, whether left, centre, or even as a false nine.

What this new contract does is send a message: Cody Gakpo is part of Liverpool’s long-term vision. He is not just a squad filler. He is not for sale. He is a player who will continue to play big roles in big games. When Liverpool drew PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League group stage, Elfrink pointed out how special it will be for Gakpo to return to face his boyhood club. But now, he will do so not as a player with uncertain future, but as one locked down to Liverpool for years to come.

This also reflects Liverpool’s broader strategy. Arne Slot and the club’s sporting directors know that signing new players is exciting, but securing the futures of their current stars is equally important. A squad is not just built by spending money; it is built by creating stability, by rewarding those who deliver, and by making sure the core remains intact. By tying Gakpo down, Liverpool avoid any chance of losing him to Bayern Munich or any other club. They also ensure that younger players like Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister see a clear pathway of loyalty and reward.

For Gakpo personally, this is another milestone. He has grown into a fan favourite, admired for his hard work and humility. He doesn’t demand attention, doesn’t cause controversy, and doesn’t let his ego get in the way. He plays, he delivers, and he celebrates with his teammates. In many ways, he represents the modern Liverpool spirit—professional, determined, and focused on the team rather than individual glory.

The news of his contract will not dominate the back pages in the same way as a record-breaking transfer. But ask Liverpool fans, and many will tell you: this is just as important. Because when the season gets tough, when injuries hit, when the games pile up, players like Gakpo are the ones who keep the machine running.

As the transfer window nears its end, Liverpool may well announce Isak, maybe even Marc Guehi. Those deals will cause waves. But tucked in between, perhaps without the same fanfare, will be the news that Cody Gakpo has committed his future to Anfield. And when the dust settles, that may prove to be the most vital signing of them all.

Because for Liverpool, this is not just about the now. It is about building for the future. And Cody Gakpo, the £35m man from Eindhoven, is part of that future.

He has already written chapters in Liverpool’s story, scoring goals in finals, providing assists in crucial games, and helping bring trophies back to Anfield. Now, with this new deal, he is ready to write more. For him, the journey is only just beginning. And for Liverpool, keeping him is a victory of its own.

So as the deadline day drama unfolds, with rumours, flights, and last-minute negotiations, Liverpool fans should remember this: while everyone looks at who might arrive, sometimes the biggest wins come from making sure the players you already have never leave. Cody Gakpo staying at Liverpool is exactly that. A quiet deal, a crucial deal, and one that could define the club’s next era.

The headlines will scream about Isak, Guehi, or whoever else arrives. But when the season reaches its toughest nights, when Liverpool need someone to step up, do not be surprised if the man delivering once again is Cody Gakpo. And when he does, this new contract will be remembered not as a footnote, but as a turning point.

Because in football, transfers bring excitement. But loyalty, consistency, and trust—that is what builds champions. And that is what Cody Gakpo represents at Liverpool.