Virgil van Dijk’s message to Liverpool chiefs over Cody Gakpo transfer could not be any clearer

Virgil van Dijk has publicly implored the Liverpool hierarchy not to sell Cody Gakpo in the final three days of the summer transfer window.

The Netherlands winger has reportedly decided to join Manchester City, with all parties understood to be in discussions over a potential deal (The Athletic), and Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Enzo Maresca’s side are ‘set to bid’ £85m for the forward.

The 27-year-old’s prospective exit comes despite a strong start to the season in which he’s already registered a goal and and an assist after two games, with the Dutchman looking revitalised after a difficult 2025/26 campaign.

Van Dijk implores Liverpool not to sell Gakpo

Unsurprisingly, Van Dijk is desperate for his club and international teammate not to leave Liverpool before the market shuts at 11pm on Tuesday night, and he hasn’t been afraid to deliver that message to FSG in public and in such emphatic fashion.

When asked after the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest on Saturday if he wants Gakpo to remain with the Reds, the captain said (via The Express): “What do you think? He’s a quality player. I think we should keep quality players. Let’s see what the next few days bring.

“I want him to stay not only because he’s a quality player, but also because he’s a friend of mine. He’s very important for us.”

There’s room for both Barcola and Gakpo at Liverpool

Having played alongside Gakpo at Liverpool for nearly four years and with the Dutch national team for several years, Van Dijk is perfectly placed to speak about the qualities of the 27-year-old.

Of course the skipper wasn’t going to publicly endorse any move away from Anfield for his teammate, but there was something in the delivery of his words which made it crystal clear that he thinks selling the forward would be a mistake by the club’s hierarchy.

The Reds might be about to sign Bradley Barcola in a megabucks deal, and the Frenchman would surely be an automatic starter if and when his transfer goes through, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for both of them in the same line-up.

Both attackers are versatile enough to play anywhere across the attack, and at a time when Liverpool have been floundering, all logic would dictate that they should hold onto crucial performers like Gakpo rather than selling them to direct domestic rivals.

We’re not privy to how much of an influence Van Dijk has over transfer decisions at Anfield and whether, as captain, his views would be taken into consideration. However, his line about the wisdom of retaining ‘quality players’ is absolutely true, and the hierarchy would be foolish to lose sight of that.

Please, FSG, don’t make a horrific mistake in the next three days. The repercussions could set the club back for several years.