Cody Gakpo ended a run of ten matches without a goal or an assist for Liverpool with his assist for Mohamed Salah in the 2-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday.
The Dutchman, though, failed to find the target with any of his four shots and his pass to the Egyptian star for his assist registered an xA of 0.05, which shows how brilliant the winger’s precise finish was.
Gakpo’s assist against the Cottagers means that he has now produced eight goals and five assists in 45 appearances in all competitions for the Reds this season, despite being a regular starter at the top end of the pitch.
The Netherlands international, who can play on the left or through the middle as a striker, has only scored one goal and provided one assist in his 19 appearances for the club.
His output at the top end of the pitch has been underwhelming, at best, and Arne Slot should look to move on from the former PSV star as a regular starter heading into the 2026/27 campaign.
Liverpool exploring deal to sign £60m Premier League attacker
Whilst Rio Ngumoha has shown promise this season, scoring a brilliant goal against Fulham, the English youngster is not a versatile player like Gakpo who can play wide or as a striker.
That means that the Reds still need to bring in a player who can play in both of those positions in order to put an end to the Dutchman’s regular minutes on the pitch.
According to Caught Offside, Liverpool are eyeing up a deal to sign a Premier League forward who could be the end of Gakpo’s time as a starter at Anfield.
The report claims that the Reds and Chelsea are both preparing moves to sign Bournemouth attacker Eli Junior Kroupi in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Caught Offside quotes one source as saying: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Liverpool have already had some conversations. Richard Hughes has a good relationship with his former club and will be on the phone to his counterparts there after that performance yesterday.”
The outlet adds that it could take a fee of up to £60m to tempt the Cherries into selling the striker, who scored in a 2-1 win against Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.
How Eli Junior Kroupi would end Cody Gakpo’s career at Liverpool
Slot, or any potential replacement for him if the club opt to make a change in the summer, could end Gakpo’s career at Anfield by beating Chelsea in the race to sign Kroupi from Bournemouth.
The Cherries star became the first player since Robbie Keane 26 years ago to score ten goals in a Premier League season as a teenager when he found the back of the net against the Gunners on Saturday.
The 19-year-old star, once dubbed “clinical” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, has been a revelation for Bournemouth this season, scoring ten goals from 6.57 xG, and would improve the firepower within the Liverpool squad as a replacement for Gakpo.
Liverpool’s Dutch forward has only scored six goals from 6.81 xG in the Premier League so far this season, as he has failed to provide an efficient presence in the final third when chances have fallen his way.
|
25/26 Premier League |
Kroupi |
Gakpo |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
27 |
30 |
|
Starts |
15 |
26 |
|
Minutes |
1,253 |
2,249 |
|
xG |
6.57 |
6.81 |
|
Goals |
10 |
6 |
|
Big chances missed |
3 |
6 |
Kroupi has scored four more goals than the Netherlands international, despite playing around 1,000 fewer minutes, and this suggests that he would be an upgrade for the Reds.
Like Gakpo, France U21 international is a versatile forward who is capable of playing out wide on the left or through the middle as a centre-forward. He has scored ten goals in 12 starts as a left winger and 25 goals in 51 starts as a striker in his short career to date.
Kroupi, who scored 22 goals in 30 Ligue 2 games for Lorient in the 2024/25 campaign, has already matched Gakpo’s career-high for goals in the Premier League, and there are still games left for him to add to his tally.
Liverpool could put an end to the Dutchman’s time as a regular starter, thus throwing his long-term future into doubt, by signing the 19-year-old talent this summer, as he has the quality and versatility to arrive as a big upgrade for the club.
After Ngumoha’s goal: £10m Anfield flop must never play for Liverpool again
One Liverpool player will be lucky to play again after Rio Ngumoha’s display against Fulham.