Overview
Cody Mathès Gakpo, born on 7 May 1999, is a professional footballer from the Netherlands who operates primarily as a forward. His career began in the youth ranks of PSV Eindhoven, where he progressed to become a key attacking player before securing a move to Premier League club Liverpool. Gakpo's versatility allows him to play across the front line, often deployed as a left winger, a central striker, or an attacking midfielder, contributing goals and assists with consistency.
Position
Gakpo is officially classified as a forward, but his on-pitch role often transcends a single position. At PSV, he frequently featured as a left-winger, cutting inside to shoot or combine with teammates. Following his move to Liverpool, he adapted to playing more centrally, often operating as a false nine or a traditional striker, demonstrating an ability to link play and press from the front. His tactical flexibility makes him a valuable asset in various offensive systems.
Identity
Cody Gakpo's identity as a footballer is defined by his blend of technical skill, athletic attributes, and footballing intelligence. He possesses a strong physical presence, standing at 1.93m (6 ft 4 in), which he uses effectively in aerial duels and to hold up play. Coupled with his dribbling ability and precise finishing, Gakpo represents a modern attacker capable of both creating and converting chances. His consistent goal-scoring record for both club and country underscores his effectiveness in the final third.
Career path
Cody Gakpo's football journey began in the youth academy of PSV Eindhoven, a club renowned for developing talent. He joined PSV's youth setup in 2007 at the age of eight, progressing through various age groups. His talent was evident early on, leading to his debut for Jong PSV, the club's reserve team, in the Eerste Divisie during the 2016–17 season. He became a regular for Jong PSV in the 2017–18 season, scoring 7 goals in 13 appearances, which paved the way for his senior team breakthrough.
PSV Eindhoven
Gakpo made his senior debut for PSV Eindhoven on 25 February 2018, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–1 Eredivisie victory over Feyenoord. Over the next few seasons, he gradually established himself as a crucial player for the club. The 2021–22 season was particularly prolific for Gakpo, as he scored 21 goals and provided 15 assists across all competitions for PSV, helping them win the KNVB Cup and finish second in the Eredivisie table. He continued his impressive form into the first half of the 2022–23 season, scoring 13 goals and registering 17 assists in 24 appearances for PSV before the winter transfer window, as documented by Transfermarkt's detailed performance data.
Liverpool
In January 2023, Gakpo completed a transfer to Premier League club Liverpool, signing a long-term contract. The move generated significant anticipation, with Liverpool securing a prominent talent from the Eredivisie. His adaptation to the English top flight involved a period of adjustment, but he quickly began to demonstrate his capabilities, contributing to Liverpool's attacking play. In the 2024-25 season, Gakpo played a significant role as Liverpool secured the Premier League title, a major achievement in his career at Anfield.
Playing style
Cody Gakpo's playing style is characterized by a combination of physical prowess, technical finesse, and tactical intelligence, making him a versatile forward. He often operates as an inverted winger on the left flank, where he can cut inside onto his stronger right foot to shoot or create opportunities. His height and strength allow him to be effective in aerial duels and in holding up the ball, providing a focal point for attacks, a trait often highlighted in player comparisons by FBref's player profiles. When deployed as a central striker, particularly as a false nine, Gakpo excels at dropping deep to link play, drawing defenders out of position and creating space for teammates making runs from midfield.
His dribbling ability is a key attribute, allowing him to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, especially when driving from wide areas into the penalty box. Gakpo possesses good pace, which he utilizes to get in behind defensive lines and to press opponents effectively. His finishing is composed and clinical, capable of scoring from various angles and distances, often favoring precise shots rather than power. Data from platforms like Sofascore's performance statistics often reflect his consistent goal contributions and high shot accuracy.
Beyond his attacking output, Gakpo also demonstrates a commendable work rate, participating in defensive duties and pressing high up the pitch to win back possession. This all-round contribution makes him a modern forward capable of influencing games in multiple phases. His ability to adapt to different tactical setups and roles within the attacking third underscores his footballing intelligence, making him a valuable asset for both club and country.
Achievements & honours
Cody Gakpo has accumulated several significant achievements and honours throughout his career, both at club level and individually. His time at PSV Eindhoven saw him contribute to domestic success, while his move to Liverpool brought him a major Premier League title.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| PSV Eindhoven | KNVB Cup | 2021–22 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Johan Cruyff Shield | 2021 |
| PSV Eindhoven | Johan Cruyff Shield | 2022 |
| Liverpool | Premier League | 2024–25 |
Individual Milestones
- 2022 FIFA World Cup: Gakpo scored in three consecutive group stage games for the Netherlands, a notable individual achievement at a major international tournament. These goals were crucial in helping his national team progress through the group stage, as detailed in FIFA World Cup match summaries.
International career
Cody Gakpo has been a prominent figure for the Netherlands national team, earning 39 international caps and scoring 14 goals since his debut. His progression through the Dutch youth ranks led to his senior call-up, and he quickly established himself as a key attacking option for the Oranje.
He made his debut for the Netherlands on 21 June 2021, featuring in a UEFA Euro 2020 group stage match against North Macedonia. Gakpo's impact on the international stage became particularly evident during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He scored in the Netherlands' opening group stage match against Senegal, followed by goals against Ecuador and Qatar, becoming one of the tournament's standout performers in the initial phase. His three goals were vital in securing the Netherlands' advancement from their group, providing consistent offensive threat as highlighted by FIFA's World Cup player features. His consistent contributions demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure on the biggest stages.
Gakpo has continued to be a regular starter and goal scorer for the Netherlands in various qualification campaigns and friendly matches, solidifying his place as a crucial component of the national team's attacking strategy. His presence provides both a goal threat and a creative outlet, linking play and driving forward from both wide and central positions.
What makes Cody Gakpo stand out
Cody Gakpo stands out due to his unique combination of physical attributes and technical versatility. His ability to perform effectively as both a wide forward and a central striker makes him a difficult opponent to mark, as he can adapt his game to exploit different defensive weaknesses. His powerful shot from outside the box and composed finishing inside the area mean he is a constant goal threat, regardless of his starting position. Furthermore, his aerial presence, often unexpected for a player who frequently operates on the wing, adds another dimension to his attacking game, making him dangerous from set-pieces and crosses.
Another distinguishing trait is his intelligent off-the-ball movement, which allows him to find pockets of space between defensive lines or make well-timed runs into the penalty area. This footballing intelligence is complemented by a strong work ethic, contributing to defensive pressing and tracking back when required. His performances in major tournaments for the Netherlands have underscored his capacity to deliver under pressure, establishing him as a player for significant occasions.
"Cody Gakpo offers a complete package for a modern forward: he scores, assists, and works tirelessly for the team."