Cody Gakpo signs new long-term contract at Liverpool

Cody Gakpo has committed his long-term future to Liverpool, signing a new contract that will keep him at Anfield beyond 2028.

The Dutch forward’s extension comes at a time of significant change in Jürgen Klopp’s former squad now under the guidance of Arne Slot, and serves as a firm show of faith in a player whose place had been questioned following a busy summer of recruitment.

Liverpool have already added Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to their attacking ranks and remain strongly linked with a big-money move for Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak.

Against that backdrop, Gakpo’s role looked uncertain. Yet, after starting both of the Reds’ opening Premier League fixtures — scoring against Bournemouth on the opening weekend before adding two more goal contributions at St James’ Park — the 26-year-old has underlined his importance once again.

Gakpo told official club website:

“It feels amazing to extend the contract here at this beautiful club. I’m very grateful and hopefully I can give back many more beautiful moments.

I feel at home, my family feels at home and that’s also a big decision always. They feel good. I’m very happy at the club, a good group, good teammates, so the life around the football itself is very good and I enjoy every moment of it. I’m very grateful that I can extend.”

Since his £37 million move from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, Gakpo has steadily grown into a key figure at Anfield. In 131 appearances he has registered 42 goals and 16 assists, including a pivotal role in last season’s title-winning campaign.

While Luis Díaz departed for Bayern Munich earlier this summer, Gakpo is seen as a cornerstone of Slot’s new-look frontline. His commitment provides stability, in contrast to the uncertainty that surrounded his future just a few months ago when Bayern were briefly linked before shifting their focus to Díaz instead.

The Netherlands international has set his ambitions high for the coming years, with a clear emphasis on sustaining success.

“Obviously trying to win more things with the club [is my aim], with the team.

“I think we have a very good squad at the moment and we’re trying to build on something special again. Obviously last season we won the league, so we have to defend it with the best of our capabilities. We want to also win the Champions League and the other cups, so that’s what we are going for.

For me personally, I think I’d like to keep on developing, so every year has to be a better year than the year before. That’s what we’re aiming for.”

With his new deal signed, Slot can count on Gakpo as both a versatile attacker and a symbol of continuity during a summer of change.

At 26, he is entering the peak of his career and, alongside the club’s new recruits, will play a pivotal role in Liverpool’s attempt to defend their Premier League crown and mount another charge in Europe.

For Liverpool, securing Gakpo’s future is not just a reflection of his numbers but his adaptability across the frontline, his work ethic, and the trust he has earned in the dressing room.

For the player himself, it is about building on a career that already includes a Premier League title but — in his own words — has “many more beautiful moments” still to come.