£80m Liverpool star shares "very long story" that almost saw him leave Anfield

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Cody Gakpo has confirmed how close he came to joining Manchester City this summer before Liverpool told him could not leave. City pursued the Netherlands international in the final days of the summer window, with an £80m move ultimately collapsing after Liverpool changed their stance on allowing him to leave.

Speaking while on international duty with the Netherlands, Gakpo was asked whether Liverpool had initially been willing to let him leave before changing their mind. So I just let everything be and see how it came and it worked out in this way.” Gakpo may now be grateful that his move to City collapsed given that there is a lot of upheaval on City’s horizon due to their charges.

The 27-year-old was one of the most heavily criticised Liverpool players last season, but all his critics have vanished since the start of the season. Football can be very fickle in this way, but I think it’s safe to say he didn’t deserve the hate he received online last season.