Steven Gerrard explains why it was ‘critical’ that Liverpool did not sell Cody Gakpo to Manchester City

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But after Liverpool failed to find a suitable replacement for him, Gakpo was kept and has subsequently stepped up to become a key player under Andoni Iraola.An ankle injury sustained on international duty has curtailed his involvement for now, but former Reds captain Steven Gerrard has claimed that he is expecting the 27-year-old to be hugely important when he returns. Who deserves higher or, perhaps, even lower? 🤔 Gerrard pleased Liverpool did not sell Gakpo In a different world, Gakpo could have been lining up against Liverpool for Man City during Sunday’s defeat at Anfield.

Gerrard is too, and as he told former lower league striker and Liverpool supporter Adebayo Akinfenwa on his ‘Beast Mode On’ podcast, Gakpo, though he is currently injured, is the best alternative Iraola has to Alexander Isak right now. I think obviously on the back of last season and the injury to Ekitike and was only really having one number nine in Isak, I think it was critical that we kept Cody Gakpo,” he said, after Akinfenwa revealed that he messaged Gakpo asking him not to leave.“He’s had a decent World Cup, he’s had a decent preseason, and he started the season on fire.

I think he’s got a little small niggle at the moment, but hopefully that’s not too bad because we’re going to need him. He’s an important part of the squad and hopefully he can keep delivering because if he can bring that consistency over the course of the season then I’m looking forward to watching him.” “They are not far, but it’s difficult to tell right now,” he said at Tuesday’s press conference.