Cody Gakpo Requests Liverpool Exit After Slot Sacking

Cody Gakpo has formally asked to leave Liverpool, with the Dutch forward unwilling to continue at Anfield in the wake of Arne Slot’s dismissal, according to reports in the Netherlands.

The 25-year-old arrived on Merseyside in January 2022 for an initial £37m and has quietly built an impressive record: 50 goals and 23 assists in 180 appearances. Last season he delivered 15 goal contributions in the Premier League alone, a key figure in Liverpool’s title win during Slot’s first campaign in charge.

That feels a long time ago now.

This season, Liverpool’s defence of their crown unravelled. A limp fifth-place finish cost Slot his job and ripped up the project Gakpo believed he was part of. The Dutch coach has been replaced by Andoni Iraola, and with that change, the winger’s patience appears to have snapped.

Gakpo, often a lightning rod for supporter frustration during the downturn, found himself at the centre of a debate he never asked for. Large sections of the fanbase questioned Slot’s loyalty to him, baffled that he so often started ahead of teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha. Every miscontrol, every missed chance, seemed to carry double the weight.

According to Dutch outlet Soccernews, Gakpo has now submitted a transfer request because he “doesn’t see a future at The Reds without Slot”. For a player who only last year signed a lucrative new deal worth around £250,000 a week through to June 2030, it is a dramatic shift.

The market has noticed.

Atlético Madrid are reported to be seriously interested as they search for a replacement for Antoine Griezmann, who is heading to MLS side Orlando City after his contract with the Spanish club expired. The Spanish side are said to “have ears for a collaboration” with Gakpo, aware that they would need to pay heavily but believing a deal is possible.

Gakpo is currently valued at around €60m (£52m) by Transfermarkt. The suggestion from the Netherlands is that “a lot of payment will have to be made”, but that Liverpool are not closing the door.

TEAMtalk report that Liverpool are open to selling Gakpo this summer and will not stand in his way now a formal request has landed. Slot had been his staunchest ally at Anfield, repeatedly selecting him despite external criticism and tying him down to that long-term contract. With Slot gone, the club’s stance appears more pragmatic.

The timing is brutal for Liverpool. Club icon Mohamed Salah is also leaving, forcing the recruitment department into a major rebuild of the forward line. Losing Gakpo on top of Salah would strip away two senior wide options in one window, yet sources insist Liverpool are prepared to sanction both exits if the right offers arrive.

The need for change out wide has been no secret. Back in March, before Salah’s departure became official, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano predicted a hectic period ahead.

“I think it will be a busy summer for Liverpool with wingers. It’s very clear they need to reinforce their wingers,” he said. “The situation with Salah and Gakpo. In general, I think Liverpool need to add something fresh in that position.”

That freshness may now be non-negotiable. With Gakpo pushing to go and Salah already on his way, Liverpool’s next moves in the market will define what Iraola’s first season looks like – and how quickly Anfield can fall in love with a new front line.