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Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo
Cody Gakpo
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Cody Mathès Gakpo (Dutch: ['kɔdi 'ɣɑkpɔ];[3][4] born 7 May 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left winger or centre forward for Premier League club Liverpool and the Netherlands national team.

Key Information

A PSV academy graduate, Gakpo made his first-team debut in February 2018. In the 2021–22 season, he won the Dutch Footballer of the Year award after scoring 21 goals in 47 games in all competitions. He signed for Liverpool in January 2023.

Gakpo played youth international football for the Netherlands from under-18 to under-21 level. He made his senior international debut in June 2021 at UEFA Euro 2020.

Early life

[edit]

Gakpo was born in Eindhoven and raised in the district of Stratum.[5] His father was born in Togo and has Ghanaian ancestry, while his mother is Dutch.[6][7][8] In 2007, he moved to the youth academy of PSV, where he then progressed through all of the youth teams.[6]

Club career

[edit]

PSV

[edit]

For the 2016–17 season, Gakpo was part of the reserve team Jong PSV for the first time but mainly featured in the under-19 team. Gakpo made his professional debut in the Eerste Divisie for Jong PSV on 4 November 2016, in a game against Helmond Sport.[9] For the rest of the season, he only made one more appearance for Jong PSV. After his production increased in the following season's U19 Eredivisie with seven goals and five assists in 13 league games, he was finally promoted to the reserves at the turn of the year. In his second appearance in the second-tier Eerste Divisie, on 19 January 2017, in a 3–2 away win against De Graafschap, he scored a brace and made the assist for the third goal of his team.[10] For Jong PSV, he managed to score seven goals in the 2017–18 season, which he achieved in 12 league games.[11]

First team

[edit]

Gakpo made his first team debut for PSV as an injury-time substitute in a 3–1 victory over Feyenoord on 25 February 2018.[12] In the 2018–19 season, Gakpo was able to further improve his performances. This was also noticed by first team coach, Mark van Bommel. He was selected several times for the matchday squad of the first team in the first half of the season. He would initially, however, remain an unused substitute.[11] In the 5–1 home win against the Go Ahead Eagles on 3 December 2018, he scored the first hat-trick of his professional career.[13] After he scored a goal and got an assist in the 5–2 home win against Almere City on 21 December,[14] he made his debut in the Eredivisie just one day later. In the 3–1 home win against AZ, he was substituted on for Steven Bergwijn in the closing stages.[15] He scored nine goals in ten league games for Jong PSV by the end of the year and was subsequently promoted to become a regular member of the first team.[11] On 3 February 2019, he scored his first league goal in his second appearance in a 5–0 home win over Fortuna Sittard and also assisted another goal.[16] By the end of the season he made 14 league appearances, but without being able to record another goal.[11]

In the 2019–20 season, he made his breakthrough in the Eredivisie and recorded seven goals and as many assists in 25 league games.[11]

On 13 September 2020, the first matchday of the 2020–21 Eredivisie season, Gakpo scored his first brace for PSV, contributing to a 3–1 win over Groningen.[17] He scored another brace on 24 September in the 5–1 victory in the UEFA Europa League qualifier against NŠ Mura, allowing PSV to qualify for the play-off round.[18] He was again decisive there, on scoring PSV's second goal in a 2–0 win over Rosenborg on 1 October.[19] He finished the season with 29 appearances, in which he scored 11 goals.[11]

Gakpo scored the winning goal for PSV in a 2–1 win over Ajax in the 2022 KNVB Cup final.[20] On 31 August 2022, he scored his first hat-trick in a 7–1 win over Volendam.[21]

Liverpool

[edit]
Gakpo with Liverpool in 2025

On 28 December 2022, Gakpo agreed to sign for Premier League club Liverpool once the transfer window opened on 1 January 2023.[22] He was reported by BBC Sport to have agreed a five-and-a-half-year contract, for a transfer fee of between £35.4 and £44.3 million (€40 to €50 million), which would be a record fee received by PSV.[23] He made his debut on 7 January as a starter in a 2–2 home draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup third round.[24] Gakpo scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 2–0 Merseyside derby league victory over Everton on 13 February 2023.[25]

Gakpo won his first trophy with Liverpool in the 2023–24 season, where he was credited with key goals to take the club to its 10th EFL Cup victory as the competition's second-highest goalscorer.[26]

Gakpo scored the equaliser in Liverpool's 2–2 draw with Manchester United on 5 January 2025.[27] During the 2024–25 season, Gakpo played a crucial role in their Premier League title winning season. He scored Liverpool's third in an 5–1 win against Tottenham Hotspur, after which the league title was secured in his first season under new manager and fellow countryman Arne Slot.[28]

On 30 August 2025, Gakpo signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.[29]

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]
Gakpo with Netherlands U18 in 2017

Gakpo was eligible to play for the Netherlands, Ghana or Togo at international level.[30][31] He played youth international football for the Netherlands at under-18,[32] under-19,[33] under-20[34] and under-21 levels.[35]

Senior

[edit]

Gakpo was called up to the senior Netherlands squad for UEFA Euro 2020 and debuted in the third match of the group stage against North Macedonia as a substitute in the 79th minute for Frenkie de Jong.[36] As a result, he became the first Netherlands player to make his international debut at a European Championship since Martien Vreijsen in 1980.[36]

Gakpo made his first start for the Netherlands in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Norway on 1 September 2021,[37] and scored his first senior international goal three days later in a 4–0 win over Montenegro.[38]

Gakpo was called up to represent the Netherlands at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and had an immediate impact, scoring in three consecutive group stage matches against Senegal,[39] Ecuador,[40] and Qatar.[41]

Gakpo was named in the Netherlands' squad for UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.[42] He was named player of the match in their opening 2–1 victory over Poland, in which he scored his country's first goal of the tournament.[43] He received the honour again for their round of 16 match against Romania, where he scored the first goal and provided an assist in a 3–0 victory.[44] With 3 goals in the tournament, Gakpo was awarded the Golden Boot in a 6-way tie.[45]

Style of play

[edit]

Usually deployed as a left winger, he is also capable of playing a more central attacking role as a centre-forward. However during his time at Liverpool he has mostly been deployed out of his natural position on the left wing and played most of his minutes in a midfield and centre forward role. Gakpo often cuts inside on his right foot to move to a more central attacking position, and uses his speed and dribbling skills to take on defenders until he finds the space to make an attempt on goal.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Gakpo is a Pentecostal Christian.[46][47][48] He has said, "I try to read the Bible every day, I pray every day, I like to go to church, and I read many books about the faith".[49] During the 2022 FIFA World Cup, along with Memphis Depay, he led a Bible study for fifteen other Dutch teammates.[50] He welcomed his first child, a boy born in April 2025 with his partner Noa van der Bij. [51]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 22 October 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Jong PSV 2016–17[52] Eerste Divisie 2 0 — — — — 2 0
2017–18[52] Eerste Divisie 13 7 — — — — 13 7
2018–19[52] Eerste Divisie 11 10 — — — — 11 10
Total 26 17 — — — — 26 17
PSV 2017–18[52] Eredivisie 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 — 1 0
2018–19[52] Eredivisie 16 1 2 1 — 1[c] 0 0 0 19 2
2019–20[52] Eredivisie 25 7 2 0 — 11[d] 1 1[e] 0 39 8
2020–21[52] Eredivisie 23 7 1 0 — 5[f] 4 — 29 11
2021–22[52] Eredivisie 27 12 4 2 — 15[g] 7 1[e] 0 47 21
2022–23[52] Eredivisie 14 9 0 0 — 9[h] 3 1[e] 1 24 13
Total 106 36 9 3 — 41 15 3 1 159 55
Liverpool 2022–23[53] Premier League 21 7 3 0 — 2[c] 0 — 26 7
2023–24[54] Premier League 35 8 4 0 6 4 8[f] 4 — 53 16
2024–25[55] Premier League 35 10 0 0 6 5 8[c] 3 — 49 18
2025–26[56] Premier League 8 3 0 0 0 0 3[c] 1 1[i] 0 12 4
Total 99 28 7 0 12 9 21 8 1 0 140 45
Career total 231 81 16 3 12 9 62 23 4 1 325 117
  1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  4. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, nine appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ a b c Appearance in Johan Cruyff Shield
  6. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Six appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, four appearances and two goals in UEFA Europa League, five appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa Conference League
  8. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, five appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League
  9. ^ Appearance in FA Community Shield

International

[edit]
As of match played 12 October 2025[57]
Gakpo playing for Netherlands U18 in 2017
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Netherlands 2021 4 1
2022 10 5
2023 7 3
2024 15 5
2025 8 4
Total 44 18
As of match played 12 October 2025
Scores and results list the Netherlands' goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gakpo goal[57]
List of international goals scored by Cody Gakpo
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 4 September 2021 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands 3  Montenegro 4–0 4–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification [58]
2 14 June 2022 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands 7  Wales 2–0 3–2 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A [59]
3 22 September 2022 Stadion Narodowy, Warsaw, Poland 8  Poland 1–0 2–0 [60]
4 21 November 2022 Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar 10  Senegal 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup [61]
5 25 November 2022 Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar 11  Ecuador 1–0 1–1 [62]
6 29 November 2022 Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar 12  Qatar 1–0 2–0 [63]
7 7 September 2023 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands 18  Greece 2–0 3–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying [64]
8 10 September 2023 Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland 19  Republic of Ireland 1–1 2–1 [65]
9 21 November 2023 Estádio Algarve, Faro/Almancil, Portugal 21  Gibraltar 6–0 6–0 [66]
10 16 June 2024 Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany 25  Poland 1–1 2–1 UEFA Euro 2024 [67]
11 25 June 2024 Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany 27  Austria 1–1 2–3 [68]
12 2 July 2024 Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany 28  Romania 1–0 3–0 [69]
13 7 September 2024 Philips Stadion, Eindhoven, Netherlands 31  Bosnia and Herzegovina 3–2 5–2 2024–25 UEFA Nations League A [70]
14 16 November 2024 Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands 35  Hungary 2–0 4–0 [71]
15 20 March 2025 De Kuip, Rotterdam, Netherlands 37  Spain 1–1 2–2 [72]
16 9 October 2025 National Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta 43  Malta 1–0 4–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification [73]
17 2–0
18 12 October 2025 Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands 44  Finland 4–0 4–0 [74]

Honours

[edit]

PSV

Liverpool

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cody Gakpo

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cody Mathès Gakpo (born 7 May 1999) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a left winger or centre-forward for club and the national team. Standing at 1.93 metres (6 ft 4 in) tall, he is known for his versatility, technical skill, and goal-scoring ability, having emerged as one of the Eredivisie's top talents before establishing himself in English football. Born in to a Dutch mother, Ank Gakpo, who represented the in rugby, and a father, Johnny Gakpo, originally from with Ghanaian ancestry, Gakpo was raised in the district and developed a passion for , the club he supported as a child. He joined PSV's youth academy at age six after a and progressed through the ranks, making his senior debut as a substitute against in February 2018. His first goal arrived in September 2018 during a Dutch Cup match against , marking the start of a prolific spell that saw him become a regular starter. During his time at PSV from 2018 to 2023, Gakpo scored over 50 goals in all competitions and contributed to major successes, including two KNVB Cups (2022, 2023) and the 2022 . He was named the 2021–22 top scorer with 21 goals, winning the Golden Shoe award, and received the Footballer of the Year award that season. In January 2023, Gakpo transferred to for a reported €42 million, where he has since adapted to the , helping the team win the 2023–24 and the 2024–25 title. As of November 2025, he has recorded 28 goals and 13 assists in 101 appearances. Internationally, Gakpo made his senior debut for the on 21 June 2021 at against , and scored his first international goal in a 1–0 Nations League victory over in September 2022. He gained prominence at the , netting three goals in the group stage to help the Oranje advance. Gakpo featured in , where he played all six matches and jointly led the tournament's scoring with three goals, contributing to the ' semi-final run. By late 2025, he has earned over 40 caps for his country.

Early life and youth career

Early life

Cody Gakpo was born on 7 May 1999 in , . He was raised in the district of the city, alongside his two brothers, the older Sidney and the younger Ducferre. Gakpo's family background reflects a blend of cultures: his father, Johnny, was born in and has Ghanaian ancestry, while his mother, Ank, is Dutch and a former international rugby player who also worked as a secondary school teacher. The family maintained strong ties to their heritage, including trips to and support for communities there. During his childhood in —a city steeped in football tradition due to the presence of —Gakpo developed an early passion for the sport, largely inspired by his older brother, who was already playing competitively. By the age of two or three, Gakpo was accompanying his brother to matches and immersing himself in the local football environment through informal play. At the age of six, he joined the PSV Eindhoven youth academy after a .

Youth career

Gakpo joined the youth academy at the age of six, beginning his development in one of Europe's premier youth systems. Born and raised in , he quickly adapted to the structured environment, focusing on technical skills and tactical awareness from an early age. He progressed steadily through the age-group teams, advancing from the under-9 level to the under-19 squad by 2016. During his time with PSV's U19 team, Gakpo featured in 31 matches and netted 8 goals, demonstrating his growing prowess as a forward. His performances in youth competitions, including the where he scored 2 goals in 4 appearances for the U19 side, highlighted his potential and goal-scoring instinct. In November 2016, at age 17, Gakpo made his debut for , the club's reserve team in the , substituting in a match against on 4 November. This marked his introduction to senior-level football while still in the youth setup. Over the next few seasons with , he established himself as a standout performer, scoring 17 goals in 25 appearances and contributing significantly to the team's attacking play before earning promotion to the first team.

Club career

PSV Eindhoven

Gakpo made his first-team debut for on 25 February 2018, entering as a 90th-minute substitute in a 3–1 away win against . Having progressed through the club's renowned youth academy, he initially balanced appearances with , the reserve team competing in the , where he scored 17 goals in 26 matches between 2016 and 2019. His breakthrough came during the 2019–20 season, when he recorded 8 goals and 9 assists across 39 appearances in all competitions, establishing himself as a versatile forward capable of playing on the wings or as a second striker. The arrival of Roger Schmidt in July 2020 accelerated Gakpo's development, transforming him into a regular starter primarily on the left flank within Schmidt's high-pressing system; under Schmidt, he featured in 76 matches and scored 32 goals over two seasons. The 2021–22 campaign represented the peak of Gakpo's PSV tenure, as he netted 21 goals in 47 appearances across all competitions, earning the award for his contributions. That season, PSV secured the with a 2–1 victory over Ajax in the final, where Gakpo scored the decisive second-half goal to complete a comeback. Gakpo also played a key role in PSV's 5–3 win over Ajax in the 2022 , scoring once and providing two assists. In the 2022–23 season, Gakpo continued his form, scoring 21 goals in 24 appearances to win the top scorer award, before his mid-season transfer. He contributed to PSV winning the title that year. Over his senior stint at PSV from 2018 to 2023, Gakpo amassed 159 appearances and 55 goals, forming a core part of the squad that challenged for domestic honors and competed in European competitions.

Liverpool FC

On 28 December 2022, Liverpool announced the signing of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an initial transfer fee of £37 million, with the potential to rise to £44 million through performance-related add-ons; the deal became effective on 1 January 2023. His arrival came amid Liverpool's need for attacking reinforcement during a challenging season, following his standout performances at the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he scored three goals in five matches for the Netherlands. Under manager , Gakpo initially adapted to a versatile forward role, often deployed as a central striker despite his prior success on the left wing at PSV. He made his Liverpool debut as a substitute in the third-round tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 7 January 2023 (2–2 draw) and featured in the replay win on 17 January (1–0). Gakpo scored his first goal for the club on 13 February 2023 in a 2–0 victory over Everton. In the latter stages of the 2022–23 season, Gakpo contributed seven goals across all competitions in 21 appearances, helping to bolster 's push for European qualification despite the team's inconsistent form. The 2023–24 season marked Gakpo's establishment as a key squad member, with notable contributions in Liverpool's successful campaign. He scored the decisive goal in the first leg of the semi-final against on 10 January 2024 (2–1 win), helping secure a 3–2 aggregate victory after the second leg ended 1–1 on 24 January. Liverpool won the final 1–0 against Chelsea on 25 February to claim their record-extending 10th title. Gakpo made 46 appearances across all competitions that season, scoring 16 goals and providing six assists, while adapting to rotations across the front line. Gakpo's role evolved significantly in the 2024–25 season under new manager , who succeeded Klopp after the latter's departure at the end of the previous campaign. Slot repositioned Gakpo primarily on the left wing, aligning with his natural strengths and leading to a career-best output of 17 goals and 22 goal involvements across all competitions. His pivotal strikes, including several in crucial matches against top rivals, were instrumental in clinching the title—their second in the competition and first since 2020—with Gakpo earning praise for his clutch performances in the title run-in. As of November 2025, Gakpo has made 134 appearances for across all competitions, scoring 41 goals and providing 16 assists. On 30 August 2025, he signed a new long-term contract with the club, extending his stay until at least 2030 and reflecting his growing importance in Slot's system.

International career

Youth international career

Gakpo began his international career at the youth level with the under-18 team, making his debut on 11 November 2016 in a 0–0 friendly draw against the at the age of 17. Over the course of 2016 and 2017, he earned three caps for the U18 side without scoring a goal, gaining valuable experience in defensive and midfield roles during friendlies that helped hone his versatility. Progressing through the ranks, Gakpo featured for the under-19 team in 2018, appearing in three matches across qualifying and friendly fixtures, again without finding the net but contributing to team efforts in attacking transitions. That same year, he stepped up to the under-20 level, where he showed his goal-scoring prowess with four goals in five appearances, including strikes in the U20 Elite League matches that showcased his clinical finishing and positioning. These performances at U19 and U20 levels marked a transitional phase, bridging his early development with more senior youth responsibilities. Gakpo's most prominent youth international spell came with the under-21 team from 2019 to 2021, where he made 13 appearances and scored seven goals. He debuted for the U21s on 11 October 2019 in a qualifying match against , coming off the bench to score in a 4–2 victory, helping secure qualification momentum. Key highlights included his participation in the finals in and , where he netted a brace in a dominant 6–1 group-stage win over on 30 2021, advancing the team to the quarter-finals before their elimination by . His contributions in qualifiers and the tournament underscored his emergence as a reliable forward option. In total, Gakpo amassed 24 appearances and 11 goals across the ' youth teams from U18 to U21, reflecting steady progression from tentative starts to impactful performances that paved the way for his senior international breakthrough.

Senior international career

Gakpo made his senior international debut for the on 21 June 2021, substituting into the final match of the group stage at against , where the Dutch secured a 3–0 victory. Under coach , he earned his first start in a qualifier against on 1 September 2021, scoring his maiden senior goal in a 1–1 draw. Gakpo emerged as a key figure for the at the in , scoring three goals in the group stage to help the team advance as winners. His contributions included a late header to secure a 2–0 triumph over on 21 November, an early strike against in a 2–0 win on 25 November, and a composed finish versus in a 2–0 victory on 29 November. Van Gaal praised Gakpo's versatility and potential, deploying him across forward positions during the tournament, though the exited in the quarter-finals after a loss to . Following van Gaal's departure, took over and included Gakpo in the squad for in , where he scored three goals to share the Golden Boot award with five other players. His goals came in the group stage opener against (a 29th-minute volley in a 2–1 win), against (a 47th-minute equalizer in a 2–3 loss), and in the round of 16 versus (an early opener in a 3–0 victory). Gakpo's performances earned him honors in the Poland and Romania games, contributing to the ' semi-final run before a 2–1 defeat to . Under Koeman, Gakpo has featured prominently in qualifiers and friendlies, including scoring in a 4–0 qualifier win over on 12 2025. In the qualifying campaign, which began in 2025, he netted twice from penalties in a 4–0 rout of on 9 and added another against , helping the lead Group G. On 14 November 2025, Gakpo featured in a 1–1 draw against in another qualifier, providing a key cross that led to the equalizing goal and helped maintain the team's position at the top of Group G. These efforts built on his earlier qualifier goals under van Gaal, such as a brace in a 4–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying win over in June 2023. As of 14 November 2025, Gakpo has accumulated 45 caps for the , scoring 18 goals. His international breakthrough has been supported by strong club form at , which has solidified his role as a versatile forward in Koeman's system.

Playing style and attributes

Positional play

Cody Gakpo primarily operates as a left winger or centre-forward, frequently deployed in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations that emphasize width and central penetration. At , he predominantly featured on the left flank as an inside forward, cutting inside to create and score, while occasionally shifting centrally to exploit spaces. His right-footedness allows him to deliver inswinging crosses or drive towards goal from this position, complementing overlapping full-backs in structured attacks. Gakpo's versatility enables him to adapt across the forward line, including the right wing, as a false nine, or even in central midfield roles, making him a tactical asset for fluid systems. This adaptability stems from his academy roots as a centre-forward, evolving into a multi-positional threat capable of rotating without disrupting team balance. Tactically, Gakpo has transitioned from a wide creator at PSV—where he focused on chance creation and transitional play—to a more direct goal threat at , often utilized centrally or as a false nine to link play and attack spaces. Under , his role emphasized versatility across the front line, while Arne Slot's arrival has seen him return to the left wing in a 4-2-3-1 setup, enhancing his impact through one-twos and byline runs. Under Slot in 2025, Gakpo has solidified his role as left winger, excelling in one-vs-one situations, cutting inside or outside, and leading forwards in shot-creation actions per 90 minutes, with continued clutch performances into the 2025–26 season. This evolution has allowed him to contribute significantly to 's attack, with his positional shifts supporting key goal tallies in varied contexts. For the Netherlands national team, Gakpo is typically deployed as a left winger in a fluid attacking setup, often in 4-2-3-1, where he drifts inside or combines with wing-backs like to break down defenses. He has also featured as a centre-forward or number 10 in 3-4-1-2 formations, attacking channels in behind or dropping deep to facilitate rotations, showcasing his seamless integration into the team's dynamic forward play.

Technical abilities

Cody Gakpo is predominantly right-footed, often deploying from the left wing to cut inside and unleash shots or crosses with his stronger foot, a technique that has become a hallmark of his attacking play. This inverted style allows him to exploit spaces effectively, combining technical precision with his physical attributes. His finishing stands out as elite, overperforming (xG) by 36% during the 2021/22 season at with 21 goals in 46 appearances; across his career, he has shown varied xG performance, including +2.9 in the 2024–25 season. Among his key strengths, Gakpo exhibits impressive dribbling prowess, averaging 3.63 successful dribbles per match in the 2021/22 Eredivisie season—ranking eighth among top-five league players—and reaching the 97th percentile for dribbles per 90 minutes (8.56) in broader metrics from that period; in the Premier League as of 2025, his successful take-on rate is around 50%, with 90th percentile successful dribbles in the 2025–26 season. His speed is characterized by a tremendous first-step burst, enabling progressive runs in the 90th percentile (2.93 per 90) during the 2022–23 season, with recent Premier League figures around 2.0–2.5 per 90 as of 2025. while his aerial ability is rated strong, aided by his 6'3" frame for duels and occasional headed contributions. Gakpo's style has drawn comparisons to Arjen Robben for his right-footed cutting inside from the left, though former Netherlands midfielder Wesley Sneijder has dismissed such parallels as overstated, emphasizing their differences. At , Gakpo has adapted his skill set to include improved hold-up play as a centre-forward, utilizing his for deeper link-up play, give-and-go combinations, and precise crosses—accounting for 50% of his assists in that role. However, he occasionally shows weaknesses in under pressure, opting for speculative shots with low xG value (0.10 per shot) rather than higher-percentage options. This positional versatility briefly enhances his technical deployment across roles, from winger to striker.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Cody Gakpo was born to parents Johnny Gakpo, who was born in and has Ghanaian ancestry, and Ank Gakpo, who is Dutch. His father, a former footballer, played a key role in nurturing Gakpo's passion for the sport from a young age, while both parents provided unwavering support throughout his professional development. Gakpo grew up with his two brothers in , including his older brother Sidney Gakpo, who is six years his senior and also serves as his agent. The family has remained closely involved in his career transitions, such as his move from to in 2023, offering emotional backing amid the relocation to . In his personal life, Gakpo has been in a long-term relationship with Noa van der Bij since at least 2020. The couple welcomed their first child, a son named , in April 2024.

Religious beliefs

Cody Gakpo is a Pentecostal Christian, having been raised in a Christian by his Dutch mother and Togolese father who met in . His faith forms a central part of his daily routine, as he has shared that he reads the every day, prays regularly, attends church services, and carries the with him wherever he travels. Gakpo has described his as a comprehensive that supports not only his professional football career but also every aspect of his personal life, providing him with peace and strength during demanding periods such as international tournaments and club transfers. Gakpo publicly expresses his through various platforms, including where he frequently shares verses and inspirational messages, and on the pitch by revealing undergarments printed with "I Belong to " after scoring goals, such as during Liverpool's 2024–25 title-clinching match against Tottenham Hotspur. These actions, including replicating a similar celebration by Brazilian footballer from the , have drawn attention and occasionally reminders from regarding rules on religious messaging in matches, though no formal sanctions were issued. In interviews, he has emphasized the motivational role of his , recounting how a church prophesied his move to years before it occurred, which he credits as divine guidance influencing his career decisions amid interest from clubs like Manchester United. His religious convictions also extend to charitable activities tied to his faith, including trips to with his family to support a charity aiding impoverished communities by providing meals and resources to . Additionally, Gakpo leads study sessions with teammates, fostering a supportive spiritual environment within his professional circle, as seen during events like the .

Career statistics

Club statistics

Cody Gakpo has amassed 296 appearances, 99 goals, and 66 assists in all club competitions for and as of November 2025.

PSV Eindhoven (2017–2023)

SeasonLeague (Apps/G/A)Cup (Apps/G/A)Europe (Apps/G/A)Total (Apps/G/A)
2017–18Eredivisie: 1/0/0——1/0/0
2018–19Eredivisie: 16/1/5: 2/1/1Champions League: 1/0/019/2/6
2019–20Eredivisie: 25/7/6: 2/0/1Europa League: 11/1/138/8/8
2020–21Eredivisie: 23/7/3: 1/0/0Europa League: 5/4/129/11/4
2021–22Eredivisie: 27/12/13: 4/2/0Europa League/Conference League: 15/7/146/21/14
2022–23Eredivisie: 14/9/12—Europa League: 9/3/323/12/15
Total106/36/389/3/241/15/6156/54/46

Liverpool FC (2023–present)

SeasonLeague (Apps/G/A)Domestic Cups (Apps/G/A)Europe (Apps/G/A)Total (Apps/G/A)
2022–23Premier League: 21/7/2FA Cup/EFL Cup: 3/0/0Europa League: 2/0/026/7/2
2023–24Premier League: 35/8/5FA Cup/EFL Cup: 10/4/0Europa League: 8/4/253/16/7
2024–25Premier League: 35/10/4FA Cup/EFL Cup: 6/5/1Champions League: 8/3/149/18/6
2025–26Premier League: 11/3/2FA Cup/EFL Cup: 1/0/0Champions League: 1/1/013/4/2
Total102/28/1320/9/119/8/3141/45/19

International statistics

Cody Gakpo has represented the at senior international level since his debut in June 2022, accumulating 45 caps and 18 goals as of November 2025. His contributions span major tournaments, qualifiers, and other competitions, showcasing his versatility as a forward. The following table summarizes his senior international appearances and goals by competition:
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
53
73
World Cup Qualifiers85
European Championship Qualifiers63
123
Friendlies61
Total4518
Gakpo's goals timeline highlights his impact in key moments, often in competitive fixtures. Notable strikes include his debut international goal against in a 1–0 Nations League victory on 7 June 2022, a late equalizer versus in the 2022 Nations League, and a trio during the group stage against , , and . More recently, he scored twice from penalties in a 4-0 World Cup qualifier victory over on 9 October 2025 and added another in the 4-0 win against four days later. In the , he netted three times, including winners against and . In his youth international career, Gakpo featured in 24 matches across various age groups (U15 to U21), scoring 11 goals, with standout performances including goals for the U21 in qualifiers.

Honours and achievements

Club honours

During his time at , Cody Gakpo contributed to two Shields, the Dutch Super Cup, in 2018 and 2022. In the 2018 edition, defeated 2–0 in the final, with Gakpo featuring as a substitute in his debut senior season after breaking into the first team earlier that year. He played a more prominent role in the 2022 , starting and contributing to 's 4–3 victory over Ajax following a 2–2 draw, where his involvement helped secure the early-season trophy. Additionally, Gakpo was instrumental in 's 2021–22 triumph, scoring the decisive second-half winner in a 2–1 comeback victory against Ajax in the final on 17 2022, marking his first major domestic cup success. In the 2022–23 season, Gakpo played a key role in PSV's title win, scoring 11 goals and providing 6 assists in 24 league appearances before his January 2023 transfer. He also contributed to their victory, with 3 goals in 4 cup matches during the early rounds, helping PSV defeat Ajax 1–0 in the final on 21 April 2023. Since joining in January 2023, Gakpo has added two major honours to his collection. He played a key part in Liverpool's (Carabao Cup) win, scoring four goals across the competition, including notable strikes in earlier rounds, as the Reds defeated Chelsea 1–0 in the final on penalties after a 0–0 draw, securing Gakpo's first English trophy. In the 2024–25 season, Gakpo emerged as a vital contributor with 18 goals and seven assists in 49 appearances across all competitions, helping clinch the title with a 5–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur on 27 April 2025, ending Manchester City's dominance and marking the club's second crown.

International honours

Gakpo represented the at youth international levels, contributing to the team's success in the in 2021, where they won the title by defeating 1–0 in the final. He featured in five matches during the tournament, scoring three goals. At the senior level, Gakpo has not won any major international titles with the as of 2025. The team reached the quarter-finals of the , where they were eliminated by following a 2–2 draw and penalty shootout loss. In , the advanced to the semi-finals, falling 2–1 to . Gakpo scored three goals across the tournament.

Individual accolades

Gakpo earned the Dutch Footballer of the Year award for the 2021–22 season, recognizing his standout performances with PSV Eindhoven where he scored 21 goals across all competitions. That same year, he received the Eredivisie Golden Shoe as the league's Player of the Season, the first PSV academy product to win the honor since 2003. Gakpo also claimed the Eredivisie Player of the Month award for September 2022 after scoring five goals in four matches, and repeated the feat in October 2022 with four goals in five appearances. During , Gakpo tied for the Golden Boot as one of six joint top scorers with three goals for the , after decided to share the award among all players tied on goals without tiebreakers. He became PSV's leading goalscorer for the 2021–22 campaign, netting 21 goals in 47 games to help the club secure second place in the . In the 2024–25 season, Gakpo contributed 10 goals and 4 assists in 35 appearances for , playing a pivotal role in their title-winning campaign as one of the team's most versatile forwards. He was voted Liverpool's Men's Player of the Month for January 2025 after scoring four goals and providing one assist in seven matches. In November 2025, Gakpo was nominated for award, highlighting his impact in club and international football that year.

References

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