Cody Gakpo delivered one of his standout displays in a Liverpool shirt as the Reds came from behind to draw 2-2 with Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.
The Dutchman played a central role in the comeback, netting Liverpool’s first equaliser with an excellent long-range strike to make it 1-1. Beyond the goal, Gakpo was a persistent menace throughout, arguably delivering his best overall performance of the campaign.
The 27-year-old showed sharp movement, composure on the ball, and a clear willingness to take on responsibility in attacking areas — a welcome sight after a difficult 2025-26 season in which his form frequently came under scrutiny from fans.
Gakpo has been heavily linked with a summer switch to Tottenham, who are eyeing him as an addition of quality and versatility to their forward line. Liverpool are reportedly reluctant to sell, particularly given their already stretched attacking options, though a sizeable bid could test their resolve.
Earlier reports suggested an offer around £60m might be enough to prompt Liverpool to consider a sale. But after his performance against Newcastle, there’s now a case for Liverpool pushing that figure closer to £70m should Spurs or another suitor come calling.
Gakpo delivers when it matters
Gakpo’s 2025-26 campaign was undeniably a struggle, with inconsistent form drawing criticism from parts of the Liverpool fanbase. His showing against Newcastle, however, served as a reminder of the quality he can offer Arne Slot’s side.
He was involved in several dangerous moments and consistently troubled Newcastle’s back line. Per FotMob, he posted an expected goals figure of 0.24, created three chances, and had six shots, one of which was on target.
He also completed 10 touches inside the box, eight line-breaking passes, won the ball back via two tackles, and made five recoveries — numbers that reflect just how involved he was beyond his goal contribution.
A display of that calibre could have real implications for his market value. Where Liverpool may once have entertained offers near £60m, they could now feel justified demanding an extra £10m or more given his proven top-level impact.
Little incentive for Liverpool to sell
Letting Gakpo leave at this stage would represent a significant risk for Liverpool. The club is already searching for attacking reinforcements, particularly with an eventual need to replace Mohamed Salah’s output. Losing another key forward without a like-for-like replacement lined up would leave Slot short of options as the season unfolds.
Gakpo’s versatility across the front line — capable of playing left, centrally, or in other attacking roles — adds further value, offering tactical flexibility that wouldn’t be easy to replace. Given all this, only a substantial bid is likely to shift Liverpool’s stance, and Tottenham would probably need to raise their valuation considerably if they hope to land him.
Liverpool’s transfer business isn’t finished
Liverpool are expected to remain active in the market, with Bradley Barcola reportedly still a key target as the deadline nears. The PSG winger has been linked with Anfield for much of the summer as part of Liverpool’s efforts to address the gap left by Salah.
Barcola is considered one of the most promising young attackers in Europe, though a valuation gap between the two clubs has reportedly slowed progress — one that hasn’t yet been fully closed, even if time remains for a deal to come together.
With the window shutting on September 1, Liverpool will need to act swiftly if Barcola remains their top priority, all while balancing their pursuit of attacking reinforcements against protecting the squad already at Slot’s disposal.
For now, Gakpo’s performance against Newcastle only bolsters Liverpool’s case for keeping hold of him. Should Tottenham return with an offer, they may find themselves facing a considerably higher asking price than before — a sign that Sunday’s showing was a reminder of just how valuable Gakpo can still be to Liverpool’s ambitions.
