Liverpool captain Van Dijk urges club to resist Manchester City’s move for Gakpo

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has made clear he wants Cody Gakpo to remain at Anfield, with Manchester City reportedly preparing a £75m bid for the Netherlands forward before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Gakpo’s future has become uncertain following Liverpool’s move for Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain. The French forward’s transfer fee could eventually reach £123m, which would make him the second most expensive player in Premier League history.

That potential arrival could push Gakpo further down Liverpool’s attacking pecking order, while the club are understood to be willing to consider a sale. Manchester City are reportedly closing in on the 27-year-old, who has scored 51 goals during three and a half years with Liverpool.

Gakpo played an important part in Liverpool’s 20th English top-flight title triumph in the 2024/25 campaign. He has also made an encouraging start to the current season, scoring once and setting up another goal as Liverpool drew 2-2 with Newcastle and Nottingham Forest in their opening two matches under manager Andoni Iraola.

Van Dijk said he hoped Liverpool would keep a player he considers both a key team-mate and a close friend.

“He’s a quality player and I think we should keep quality players, but let’s see what the next three days bring,” said Van Dijk.

“Obviously it’s pretty clear that I want him to stay, not only because he is the quality player that he is, but also he’s a friend of mine and I think he will be very important for us.”

Barcola has reportedly been attracted to a move to England despite Liverpool’s difficult campaign last season, when they finished fifth in the Premier League. Van Dijk, however, believes Liverpool’s standing in the game will continue to make them an attractive option for elite players.

“I think Liverpool are still one of the biggest clubs in the world. Obviously we all know that we’re going through a transition and you either want to be part of it or you don’t. I’m part of it now,” he added.

Van Dijk welcomed Barcola’s potential arrival but said there was little value in discussing a deal before it had been completed.

“He’s (Barcola) a very good player. If he comes he’ll be welcomed with open arms but until it’s there, there’s no point speaking about it now.”

Iraola has already been given an early indication of the defensive problems he must address after Liverpool conceded twice against both Newcastle and Forest. Despite those issues, Liverpool recovered from behind on two occasions in each match to claim draws.

Van Dijk acknowledged that the team needed to improve quickly and produce more consistent performances over the full 90 minutes.

“It takes some time but obviously we all want it to work as soon as possible and for 90 minutes,” said Van Dijk.

“That’s now two games in a row we’ve had to fight back. Obviously it’s a good sign that we fight back but I think we can still do much better than what we have been showing.

“We have to score more, we have to concede less. Nottingham Forest came here three times in the last three seasons and came away unbeaten, and that shouldn’t happen.”