Cody Gakpo’s long-term future at Liverpool has come under renewed scrutiny after reports suggested a potential minimum valuation for the forward, alongside comments from the player hinting that he may be seeking greater tactical freedom in his role.

The Dutch international endured a mixed campaign at Anfield, finishing the season with nine goals and six assists across 52 appearances in all competitions. While those numbers represent a respectable return, they also placed him under increased scrutiny from sections of the fanbase who felt his performances lacked consistency in decisive moments.

As Liverpool continue reshaping their attacking options, competition for places on the left flank has intensified. The club has already strengthened in wide attacking areas with the addition of Victor Munoz in a deal worth around £34.5 million, while highly rated youngster Rio Ngumoha remains part of the club’s long-term attacking plans. This increased depth has led some supporters to question whether Gakpo remains indispensable, particularly if a strong transfer offer were to arrive.

According to BBC Sport journalist Aadam Patel, any potential deal for the 27-year-old would likely require a fee in excess of £60 million. That valuation reflects both his importance to the squad and Liverpool’s reluctance to lose experienced attacking depth without proper compensation.

This assessment aligns with earlier reporting from transfer specialist Ben Jacobs, who noted that recent high-value moves in the market, including Anthony Gordon’s reported £70 million transfer involving Barcelona, have helped shape how clubs now evaluate top-level Premier League attackers. In that context, Liverpool are believed to consider Gakpo firmly within the upper bracket of attacking valuations.

Despite this suggested price tag, there is currently no indication that an exit is close. No formal negotiations have been reported, and Liverpool are not actively pushing the player towards the transfer market. However, interest from other clubs is beginning to circulate.

Among those monitoring the situation is Tottenham Hotspur, who are said to be keeping a close eye on developments regarding Gakpo’s role and long-term standing at Anfield. Spurs are understood to be assessing multiple attacking options as they plan for future squad adjustments, and Gakpo’s versatility across the front line makes him an appealing profile.

Even so, any potential transfer would also have to account for Liverpool’s contractual position. Gakpo is currently tied to the club until 2030, giving Liverpool significant control over his future. His salary is estimated to fall between £160,000 and £200,000 per week, reflecting his status as an established senior attacker within the squad.

While speculation over his club future continues, Gakpo has recently enjoyed a more positive spell at international level with the Netherlands, where his role has looked notably different compared to his club responsibilities.

At Liverpool this season, Gakpo was often deployed in a wide position that kept him close to the left touchline. In this role, he was frequently required to stretch the pitch, maintain width, and contribute to build-up play rather than consistently operating in central attacking zones. As a result, his involvement in direct goal-scoring opportunities was sometimes limited, drawing criticism from observers who felt his attacking instincts were being underused.

In contrast, his international performances under Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman have presented a very different picture. Gakpo has been given more positional freedom, allowing him to drift into central areas, attack the penalty box more frequently, and take up advanced positions closer to goal.

This tactical adjustment has produced immediate results. In a friendly match against Uzbekistan, Gakpo scored twice in an impressive attacking display. He then followed that performance with another standout contribution in the Netherlands’ next group fixture, a dominant 5-1 victory over Sweden, where he scored two more goals and provided an assist.

These performances have highlighted a noticeable difference in output when Gakpo is given a more fluid attacking role compared to a more structured wide position.

When asked to explain the contrast between his club and international roles, Gakpo acknowledged that the responsibilities differ depending on the system he is playing in. He noted that tactical instructions vary between managers and that the level of positional freedom he receives is not always the same.

His comments suggested that the Netherlands setup allows him greater flexibility in movement and attacking expression, enabling him to find more dangerous areas on the pitch. However, during his response, he appeared to pause and stop short of expanding further on the comparison, a moment that some observers interpreted as a subtle indication of possible dissatisfaction with his club role.

Journalist Aadam Patel noted that Gakpo’s hesitation may have been telling, though no explicit criticism of Liverpool’s coaching approach was made. Still, the contrast between his international form and his club performances has inevitably fueled discussion about how best to utilise him moving forward.

Within Liverpool’s broader attacking structure, there is recognition that increased competition may ultimately benefit both the player and the team. With new arrivals and emerging talents pushing for minutes, the fight for starting positions on the left wing is expected to intensify significantly.

Historically, some of Gakpo’s most effective spells at Liverpool have come when he was used in rotation rather than as a fixed starter in one position. In particular, his partnership and rotation with Luis Díaz provided the team with tactical variety, as the two players offered contrasting styles on the left side. Díaz brought explosive dribbling and direct pace, while Gakpo contributed technical control and finishing ability.

This rotational system allowed both players to complement each other and kept Liverpool’s attacking play unpredictable. It also helped Gakpo find better scoring positions, as he was not consistently restricted to a single wide role.

As Liverpool continue refining their squad under evolving tactical demands, the question surrounding Gakpo is not necessarily about quality, but about fit. His ability to contribute at a high level is not in doubt, but how he is used within the system appears to be a central factor in shaping perceptions of his season.

Whether Liverpool ultimately decide to retain him as part of their long-term plans or entertain a significant offer will likely depend on how his role develops in the coming campaign. Given his contract length and valuation, any decision would also need to align with the club’s broader strategic direction in the transfer market.

For now, Gakpo remains part of Liverpool’s attacking core, but with growing attention on his tactical usage and increasing competition for places, his situation is expected to remain one of the more closely watched storylines at Anfield moving forward.