Gary Neville, former Manchester United captain and Sky Sports pundit, cannot understand why Liverpool appear willing to cooperate with a transfer of Cody Gakpo to Manchester City. The former United defender also discussed Jeremie Frimpong’s role at The Reds, and he does not appear to be a fan of the Netherlands international.
Neville stunned by potential Gakpo transfer and raises concerns over Frimpong
Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest was followed by plenty of discussion away from the pitch, with the futures and performances of several players becoming major talking points. Cody Gakpo's possible departure has attracted particular attention, while Jeremie Frimpong has also found himself under scrutiny following his latest appearance for the Reds.
Gakpo initially appeared to be moving closer to a transfer to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but the situation has changed significantly after Manchester City entered the race for the Netherlands international. The Citizens are reportedly prepared to make a substantial investment in the former PSV Eindhoven forward, creating a transfer situation that could have major consequences for Liverpool.
Gary Neville can understand why Manchester City would be interested in adding Gakpo to their squad. The former Manchester United captain believes the Dutch forward possesses many of the qualities that would make him attractive to another leading Premier League club. What Neville finds much more difficult to understand, however, is why Liverpool would even consider allowing an important attacking player to join one of their direct domestic rivals.
"I think it's bizarre. Gakpo is the best forward they have at the moment," Neville said on his podcast.
The former England international believes Gakpo's contribution can sometimes be overlooked because his impact is not always limited to goals or assists. His willingness to receive possession, attack defenders and become involved in dangerous situations makes him an important part of Liverpool's attacking structure.
"Someone like him perhaps doesn't always get the appreciation he deserves. Gakpo always wants the ball, is constantly a threat and is often involved in goals. It's difficult to replace a player like him," Neville explained.
Why losing Gakpo could be a major risk for Liverpool
The most important element of Neville's argument is not simply whether Liverpool could eventually find another player capable of replacing Gakpo. His concern is that selling him to Manchester City would potentially strengthen a direct competitor while simultaneously forcing Liverpool to restructure part of their own attack.
That is always a delicate situation for a club with ambitions of competing at the highest level. Transfers between major Premier League rivals inevitably attract extra attention because their impact can be felt on both sides of the deal. Liverpool would lose an established member of their squad, while Manchester City would gain a player already familiar with English football and the demands of the Premier League.
Neville therefore believes Liverpool should be extremely cautious before agreeing to any deal involving Gakpo and another club competing for the biggest domestic honours.
"I find it worrying when you allow one of your most important players to join a rival. I don't think Liverpool can afford to do that," he said.
Gakpo's versatility also increases his value to Liverpool. He is capable of operating in different attacking positions and gives the team another option when the tactical demands of a match change. Players with that flexibility can be particularly important over the course of a long season, when injuries, suspensions and changes in form inevitably force managers to adjust their starting line-ups.
Van Dijk makes his feelings clear
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also addressed the uncertainty surrounding his international teammate following the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest. His comments made it clear that he would prefer to see Gakpo remain at Anfield.
"It is obvious that I hope he stays. Cody is not only a great player, but also a good friend of mine. I think he can still be very important for us. We will have to wait and see what happens over the next few days," Van Dijk said.
Van Dijk's words underline Gakpo's importance both on and off the pitch. The two players know each other well from their time together with the Netherlands national team, and Gakpo has also become an established member of Liverpool's dressing room.
With Manchester City now involved, however, the situation could develop quickly. Liverpool must weigh up the financial value of any potential offer against the sporting consequences of losing a player Neville believes remains one of their most dangerous attacking options.
Frimpong receives very different verdict
While Neville strongly defended Gakpo, his assessment of Jeremie Frimpong was considerably less positive. Both Dutch internationals played 71 minutes against Nottingham Forest, but Neville focused on Frimpong's defensive positioning and questioned whether he is naturally suited to the responsibilities required of a conventional full-back in a four-man defence.
Frimpong is widely associated with an aggressive, attack-minded style, frequently looking to move forward and provide width. That can give Liverpool an additional threat in possession, but Neville believes it could also leave the team vulnerable when possession is lost and opponents attack the spaces behind the full-backs.
"If Liverpool continue to play with a back four, with Kerkez and Frimpong as full-backs, then they are going to concede a lot of goals again," Neville warned.
His criticism became even more specific when analysing Nottingham Forest's goals. Neville argued that Frimpong was not in the defensive positions Liverpool needed him to occupy during important moments of the match.
"For Nottingham's goals, Frimpong was nowhere to be seen. He doesn't have the natural instinct to know how to defend properly," he said.
Comparison with Alexander-Arnold
Neville also compared Frimpong with Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose defensive performances were regularly debated during his time in Liverpool's back line. Alexander-Arnold often received criticism for his positioning and defensive work, but Neville believes his overall contribution justified many of the tactical compromises Liverpool were required to make.
"We were often critical of Alexander-Arnold in the past, but he is a much better defender than Frimpong and he provided fifteen to twenty assists per season. I don't think Frimpong is going to reach those numbers," Neville said.
The comparison highlights the difficult balance Liverpool face when using highly attacking full-backs. An adventurous defender can offer considerable value going forward, but the system around him needs to provide sufficient protection whenever he leaves his defensive position.
If both full-backs push forward simultaneously, Liverpool can create extra numbers in advanced areas, but that approach also places greater responsibility on the central defenders and midfielders when possession changes hands. Neville's concern is that the current balance could leave too much space for opponents to exploit.
Liverpool facing important decisions
The debate surrounding Gakpo and Frimpong represents two very different questions for Liverpool. In Gakpo's case, the club must determine how valuable the forward is to their immediate sporting plans and whether any financial offer could realistically compensate for losing him, particularly if the buyer is Manchester City.
With Frimpong, the question is more tactical. Liverpool need to find the right balance between allowing him to use his attacking qualities and ensuring the defensive structure remains secure. His ability to contribute going forward is not in doubt, but Neville believes his positioning without the ball could become a recurring problem if Liverpool continue to use him as part of a traditional back four.
The 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest therefore produced more than another Premier League result for Liverpool. It also added further fuel to discussions about the composition of the squad, the balance of the defence and the possibility of one of the club's most important attacking players leaving Anfield.
For Van Dijk, the preferred outcome regarding Gakpo is straightforward: he wants his teammate to stay. Neville shares the belief that Liverpool should retain the forward, particularly rather than strengthening Manchester City. His opinion of Frimpong, however, could hardly be more different, with the former United defender already questioning whether the Dutch full-back can provide the defensive reliability Liverpool require.
With the transfer situation still unresolved, the coming days could prove significant. Liverpool now face decisions that could influence not only the composition of their squad, but also the tactical balance of the team as the season develops.
