Cody Gakpo was just eight years old when he joined PSV Eindhoven's academy in 2007. He progressed through the ranks and in 2016/17 made his debut for Jong PSV, the club's reserve side who were then playing in the second tier of Dutch football. Gakpo went on to score 17 goals in 26 appearances for Jong PSV before making the breakthrough to the first team in 2018/19. He played all 25 of PSV's league games in the Covid hit 2019/20 season, which the Dutch FA abandoned rather than resume behind closed doors. He made an impressive contribution, with seven goals and seven assists.

After another impressive season in 2020/21, Gakpo was called up to the Netherlands squad for the delayed Euro 2020 Championship despite not having played for the national side. He made his debut as a 79th minute substitute in the third group game against North Macedonia. Gakpo scored the winning goal in the 2022 Dutch Cup final, in which PSV beat Ajax 2-1. He was named Dutch footballer of the year and was a key figure of the World Cup squad, scoring in all three group games. On 28 December 2022 it was announced that Liverpool had agreed a five and a half year contract with Gakpo and he would formally join the Reds once the January transfer window opened.

Gakpo made his debut in a 2-2 draw at home to Wolves in the FA Cup. He came into a side that were struggling and he failed to score in any of his first six appearances, only one of which was won by the Reds. He finally got off the mark with the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Everton at Anfield on 13 February, then followed this up with two in the 7-0 rout of Manchester United on 5 March. He featured in every game between his debut and the end of the campaign, which ended with seven goals and three assists from 21 Premier League appearances.

The 2023/24 season saw Gakpo become a regular presence in Liverpool’s front line, operating both as a central striker and from the left wing. He made 35 league appearances, scoring eight goals and providing five assists, while also contributing in domestic cups and the Champions League. His intelligent movement, ability to link play, and work ethic allowed Liverpool to maintain attacking fluidity. Gakpo was a key player for the Netherlands in the European Championships in the summer, one of six players to finish as joint top scorer in the finals, with three goals each. In 2024/25, Gakpo’s influence grew further. He again made 35 Premier League appearances, scoring ten goals and adding four assists. Key contributions included the opening goal in a 2-0 home victory over Manchester City and a memorable strike in the 5-1 victory over Tottenham that helped seal Liverpool’s twentieth league title. Gakpo continued to demonstrate tactical adaptability, often shifting across the front three to exploit defensive weaknesses and provide balance. 

Gakpo endured a frustrating 2025/26 season as Liverpool struggled for consistency and attacking balance throughout the campaign. After a promising previous year, expectations were higher for him to establish himself as a regular and decisive presence in the forward line, but his performances remained inconsistent over the course of the season. Primarily deployed from the left-hand side of attack, Gakpo was often tasked with providing width before drifting inside onto his stronger right foot. However, this pattern of play became increasingly predictable, with opposition full-backs and covering midfielders frequently showing him down the line and limiting his ability to cut inside onto shooting positions. As a result, he often found himself receiving the ball in less dangerous areas and facing compact defensive blocks rather than isolated one-v-one situations. Gakpo struggled at times to turn possession into clear goal threat, with fewer moments of direct impact in matches where Liverpool were already lacking attacking fluency. This was compounded by the team’s wider issues, as Liverpool’s midfield and forward transitions often lacked speed and cohesion, leaving him isolated for long periods. Gakpo only scored nine goals compared to 18 in the previous campaign. Despite flashes of quality, his overall output fell short of expectations and he was a frequent target of criticism as fans were frustrated with his and the team's shortcomings.