Game over as £250k per week Liverpool forward wants out

Arne Slot on Saturday lost his job as Liverpool head coach.

Appointed in 2024 as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp the Dutchman got off to the perfect start. The Reds claimed the 2024/25 Premier League title in Slot’s rookie season - setting him up for a long and successful reign.

A £450m transfer spree followed but Liverpool got worse - not better. And it led to Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes to look unfavourably on Slot’s working during an end-of-season review.

The FSG decision-makers opted to end the 47-year-old’s reign one year early - with his original contract due to expire in 2027.

Andoni Iraola looks set to replace the ex-Feyenoord boss and plenty of scrutiny is now on the futures of certain Liverpool players.

Gakpo future now in doubt

Cody Gakpo - for example - made 32 starts for Slot in the Premier League last season and scored seven goals. The Dutchman is seen as one of Slot’s favourites with supporters clamouring for the inclusion of Rio Ngumoha on the left wing instead.

And while Slot was loyal to the 27-year-old - with the club giving Gakpo a new, £250k per week contract last summer - there are no such guarantees under Iraola.

Accordingly the versatile attacker has submitted a transfer request claims a report in Soccernews in the player’s homeland of the Netherlands.

Cody Gakpo wants out of Liverpool

“The left winger has submitted a transfer request because he does not see a future at The Reds without Slot,” the report reads.

Given his contract runs until 2030 Liverpool are quite well protected from a transfer fee perspective. Not many clubs would be able to afford to pay for the former PSV captain and satisfy his wage demands.

But one solution could be a move to Atletico Madrid - where Diego Simeone is reckoned to be a long-time admirer.

Gakpo on Atletico radar

“If Gakpo does indeed leave The Reds, where might his future lie?” the report asks.

“Well: at Atlético Madrid, for example, which, according to various sources from England and Spain, is open to a collaboration with the Dutch international.”

Gakpo has been at Anfield since January 2023 - and has blown hot and cold at Anfield. He demonstrated his best form during the title-winning season under Slot but it’s hard to see many fans regretting his departure.

If Gakpo goes that may well open the door for more starts in the case of Ngumoha - who is crying out for more first-team football following a promising rookie campaign.

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