Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo provided a superb assist for Mohamed Salah’s goal in the Merseyside Premier League derby against Everton last weekend.
The Netherlands international hasn’t particularly impressed during the 2025/26 campaign, but there’s no denying that Salah’s strike pass was good.
It was his second assist in as many Premier League games, as he also assisted the Egyptian international against Fulham, and the winner has now reached six this season in all competitions.
Gakpo, however, is yet to score in his last 13 games for club and country combined and is yet to reach 10 goals or 10 assists in all competitions, despite playing 47 times for the Reds.
The Dutchman has not provided consistent quality at the end of the pitch for Arne Slot, who could see his place in the starting line-up come under pressure this summer.
Liverpool are working on a deal to sign the Serie A star
The summer window is not far away now and Liverpool are already on the lookout for potential arrivals to strengthen their squad that will challenge for the Premier League title next season.
Gakpo’s fine form in the Reds’ bottom third in all competitions in the 2025/26 campaign means the club could be looking to upgrade him in the off-season.
According to SportsBoom, one of the attackers Liverpool are eyeing ahead of the summer transfer window is Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz.
The report claims that the Reds are busy with a deal to sign the Turkish international in a move that could see the player defying the buyout fee, although no specific player has been named.
It adds that Juventus are unwilling to listen to any offers that go below £87m in the summer, meaning Liverpool will have to pay a hefty fee or ‘change’ one of their key assets to bring the forward to Anfield.
SportsBoom also reports that Manchester United and London clubs in the Premier League are also interested in signing Yildiz, which is likely to create an intense race for his signature.
How Kenan Yildiz could be an upgrade on Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo
As mentioned above, Gakpo has struggled at Anfield this season as he has not provided a consistent threat as a goalscorer or as a goal-scorer in the Premier League.
Yildiz, however, has been a consistent goalscorer and creator in Serie A for Juventus this term, ranking top of the league for key passes and ‘big chances’ created.
|
Most in 25/26 Serie A |
|
|---|---|
|
Key passes |
Great opportunities have been created |
|
Federico Dimarco (86) |
Federico Dimarco (30) |
|
Kenan Yildiz (71) |
Charles De Ketelaere (17) |
|
Nicolo Barella (67) |
Kenan Yildiz (15) |
|
Sebastiano Esposito (59) |
Nicolo Barella (14) |
|
Juam Miranda (59) |
Nico Paz (11) |
Only Federico Dimarco, of Inter, has created more chances in Serie A this season than the Turkish talent, while Cody Gakpo ranks 14th in the Premier League for ‘big chances’ created (ten) and ninth for key passes (49).
As well as being an incredible creative threat on the left side, Yildiz has scored ten goals from 7.83 xG in the league, only missing three ‘big chances’ in total.
Gakpo has scored just six goals in 7.18 xG in the Premier League for Liverpool, missing six ‘big chances’, suggesting the £87m Serie A star will once again provide the Reds with plenty as a clinical finisher.
Yildiz, author Danny Corcoran says “[Kylian] A talent like Mbappe”, an amazing talent with the ability to score goals and create chances at an incredible rate, reduces his right foot from the left side, as evidenced by his form for Juventus this season.
Gakpo, unfortunately, did not provide much consistency in his performances as a goalscorer or as a slot goalscorer, which may be why the club are now working on a possible deal to bring the Turkey international to Anfield in the summer.
The 20-year-old talent could arrive on Merseyside as a huge boost for the Dutchman as he could win more games for Liverpool by scoring more goals and creating more chances for his teammates, if he can adapt to the Premier League.
That is why Richard Hughes and Slot must now aim to reach an agreement to sign the Serie A star in next summer’s transfer window.
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