# Gakpo: Tough summer in football and life

> Liverpool's Cody Gakpo reflects on a 'tough summer' after failed Manchester City move and family tragedy
- Title: Gakpo: Tough summer in football and life · the Guardian
- Summary: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo reflects on a 'tough summer' after failed Manchester City move and family tragedy Gakpo stayed with Liverpool despite transfer talks…
- Keywords: cody gakpo, liverpool, manchester city, netherlands, nations league, jürgen klopp, virgil van dijk, sports, Gakpo, Tough, summer, football
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/25/liverpool-cody-gakpo-tough-summer-manchester-city
- Published: 2026-09-25T16:00:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: cody gakpo, liverpool, manchester city, netherlands, nations league, jürgen klopp, virgil van dijk, sports
## Family tragedy
Gakpo's second son died during pregnancy in June

> Gakpo's second son died during pregnancy in June
## Transfer collapse
Liverpool changed their minds about letting him join Manchester City
## Nations League goal
Scored stoppage-time equaliser for Netherlands against Germany in Nations League
## Gakpo's response
Gakpo said he let the summer 'come' and 'ended how it ended'

> It was a difficult summer for me, and my family, and everything surrounding football and life
## Team support
Virgil van Dijk called Gakpo a 'no-brainer' to keep at Liverpool

> He is a friend as well. Ours, please, let's keep it that way
## Key takeaway

Gakpo stayed with Liverpool despite transfer talks collapsing and his second son's death during pregnancy