Cody Gakpo has just written a new chapter of his Liverpool story, and it is one that every fan of the Reds will celebrate because it speaks about loyalty, ambition, and the desire to achieve more glory at Anfield. The Netherlands forward who arrived from PSV Eindhoven in the cold winter of January 2023 for a fee around thirty seven million pounds has now put pen to paper on a new long term deal with Liverpool. It is not just a piece of paper, it is a symbol of commitment, of trust between player and club, of a man who believes that his journey in England is far from complete. When Liverpool announced the news officially on Saturday night, it was like a wave of relief and excitement that spread across Merseyside and beyond, because Cody Gakpo has become more than just a player, he has become part of the Liverpool family.
Since joining the Reds in that January window, Gakpo has made one hundred and thirty one appearances, scoring forty two goals and providing sixteen assists. Those are numbers that show his consistency, his hard work, and his growing importance in the team. But numbers alone do not tell the full story. What tells the real story is the way Gakpo plays with intensity, the way he presses, the way he links up with Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, Diogo Jota, and Luis Díaz. His versatility has been a weapon for Liverpool because he can play across the front line, as a striker, as a winger, or even drop deeper when the system demands it. For a club that is constantly evolving, a player like Gakpo is priceless.
In his words after signing the deal, Gakpo said it felt amazing to extend at this beautiful club. He said he was grateful and hoped to give back many more beautiful moments. That short sentence carried so much weight, because Liverpool supporters know that their club is more than just a place of work for players, it is a home, a culture, and when a footballer says he feels at home, it means he has connected with the heart of the people. Gakpo confirmed this himself when he added that his family feels at home too, and that has always been a big factor in his decisions. Happy players play better football, and Liverpool fans know that when a player feels settled, the performances on the pitch will only keep improving.
Gakpo has already given Liverpool moments to remember. He scored crucial goals last season when the team fought its way back to the top of English football. In fact, he was part of the squad that won the Premier League under new manager Arne Slot, ending the season in glory. He also lifted the League Cup with the Reds, and he is hungry for more. At only twenty six years old, he knows that his peak years are still ahead of him, and Liverpool is the stage where he wants to perform them. He started the 2025-26 season with a goal in the opener, a thrilling 4-2 victory, showing that he is not waiting for the future, he is already writing it in the present.
When asked about what comes next, Gakpo spoke with ambition. He said the squad is strong and they are building something special again. He acknowledged the challenge of defending the league title, but he made it clear that the goal is also to win the Champions League and every other cup available. That is the Liverpool mentality, that is the hunger that made this club one of the greatest in world football. For him personally, Gakpo said he wants to keep developing, he wants every year to be better than the last, and that is the attitude of a champion. It is not enough to win once, true greatness comes from sustaining success, and that is what he aims for.
For Liverpool supporters, this contract extension is also about stability. The transfer market is full of rumours every day, players linked to moves abroad, stories of exits, uncertainty about the future. But when a key forward like Gakpo decides to stay and commit to a long term future, it sends a message of reassurance. It tells fans that Liverpool is not just buying stars, it is keeping them. It shows other players in the squad that the project is worth believing in. Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, has been working on building a squad with balance, hunger, and chemistry. Keeping Gakpo is a major part of that mission.
There is also the connection with the Dutch core in the team. Virgil van Dijk has been the leader of Liverpool for years, and though he is now in the later stages of his career, his presence is still massive. Ryan Gravenberch, another Dutchman, is part of the midfield rebuild. Arne Slot himself is Dutch, and that gives Gakpo a strong sense of belonging. The Dutch influence at Anfield has been growing, and Gakpo is right at the heart of it, not just as a forward, but as a figure who embodies professionalism, calmness, and ambition. The Dutch culture values hard work and tactical discipline, two things that Liverpool under Slot are using to dominate games.
When Gakpo reflects on his Liverpool journey so far, it is clear that he has already come a long way. From being a PSV captain and Eredivisie star to taking the step into one of the most intense leagues in the world, he has handled the pressure well. Not every Eredivisie attacker adapts quickly to the Premier League, but Gakpo showed his strength in mentality. He arrived mid-season, which is always tough, but he adapted to Klopp’s system quickly, and now under Slot he has grown even further. The numbers prove it, but the real evidence is the way he has become a regular starter, trusted in big games, and praised by his teammates.
Liverpool fans remember his goals against Manchester United, his cool finishes in tight games, his work rate when the team needed to defend from the front. They remember the times he stepped up when injuries hit the squad, playing out of position but never complaining, always giving his all. That is the Liverpool spirit, and Gakpo has shown he carries it inside him. Signing a new deal is not just about money, it is about showing the club that he is fully committed to the journey. He knows Liverpool is a club that demands everything from you, but in return, it gives you a platform to become a legend.
The ambition to win the Champions League is particularly strong in Gakpo’s words. Liverpool has a history in Europe that very few clubs can match. The fans expect their team to fight deep into the tournament every season, and after lifting the Premier League last year, the Champions League is the next big target. For Gakpo, playing under the lights at Anfield on European nights is a dream, and he wants to be part of writing more history. With a squad that includes Salah, Núñez, Díaz, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, and now new signings who came in this summer, Liverpool has the depth to fight on all fronts.
When he talks about his family feeling at home, it also shows the human side of football. Supporters sometimes forget that players are also people with families who need to settle in new countries, new cultures, new lifestyles. For Gakpo, knowing his loved ones are happy in Liverpool means he can focus on his football without distractions. That peace of mind is vital for consistency, and it is one of the reasons why players often choose to stay longer at clubs where they feel truly settled. The connection between player, family, and city is part of what makes football more than just a game, it makes it a life.
The timing of the contract is also significant. The transfer window is still alive with noise, with clubs across Europe making last-minute moves, but Liverpool’s message is clear. They are not just chasing external targets, they are also securing their internal stars. This is how strong teams stay strong. Gakpo signing a new deal now sets the tone for the rest of the season, giving the squad confidence that one of their own has pledged loyalty. It strengthens the bond between fans and player, ensuring that every time Gakpo steps onto the pitch, the roar from the Kop will be louder, knowing he is theirs for years to come.
The fact that Gakpo already has forty international caps for the Netherlands adds even more weight to his status. He is not just a club player, he is a national star, representing his country at the highest level. Bringing that experience back to Liverpool helps the team as well, because players who perform internationally bring confidence and leadership into the dressing room. He has already played at World Cups and European Championships, scoring important goals for his country, and now he brings that same big game mentality to Anfield.
As Liverpool prepare for another season where the expectations are sky high, Gakpo’s extension is one of the biggest positives. The fans are dreaming again, and with the league title in their hands from last year, the hunger is doubled. They know that repeating success is harder than achieving it the first time, but they also know that with players like Gakpo, the squad has the mentality to keep pushing. His role will only grow bigger as the team evolves, and this contract means he will be there through it all
Liverpool is a club that believes in building legacies. From the days of Kenny Dalglish to the reign of Steven Gerrard and the brilliance of Mohamed Salah, the story of Anfield has always been written by players who stayed, who gave their best years to the club, who became part of the fabric of Liverpool. Cody Gakpo has now placed himself on that path. This is not the end of his story, it is just the next chapter, but it is one that carries the promise of greatness.
