‘If I score only one time, I’ll go to Southampton. If I score two times, I’ll go to Leeds. If I score three times, I’ll stay’ Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo on learning the game and almost joining Leeds United

Cody Gakpo of Liverpool at Liverpool's training ground on 28 December, 2022
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (Image credit: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool star Cody Gakpo has been on a path to the top since joining PSV’s academy in 2007.

Gakpo moved to Liverpool from the Eindhoven giants in 2023 and has been a key component as the Reds have transitioned from life under Jurgen Klopp to an imperious charge towards the title in Arne Slot’s debut season.

The 25-year-old is the latest player to share his story with The Players’ Tribune and has revealed the sign from God that kept him in the Eredivisie instead of an earlier move to England and what might have been a very different journey.

Gakpo’s dad is a man with standards

Arsenal target Cody Gakpo of PSV celebrates 0-1 during the Dutch Eredivisie match between SC Heerenveen v PSV at the Abe Lenstra Stadium on October 9, 2022 in Heerenveen Netherlands

Gakpo is a celebrated product of the PSV academy (Image credit: Photo Prestige/Soccrates/Getty Images)

“I remember I came home from a match last season and I didn’t have a great performance,” wrote the Netherlands international.

“It was one of those cold, rainy Liverpool days, and all I wanted to do when I got home was chill. But my dad wasn’t having any of it.”

Cody Gakpo of Netherlands celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Netherlands and Qatar at Al Bayt Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.

Gakpo went to the 2022 World Cup as a PSV player (Image credit: Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

“We go to my garden and practice some mistake I made 10, 20 times, until I can do it with my eyes closed. He’ll usually ask one of my brothers to come as well to play as the defender,” Gakpo continued.

Gakpo’s dad has been actively involved in his career from the beginning, playing out the same practice and correction routine time and again, sometimes for an hour and sometimes from sunrise to sunset.

“My dad didn't always see things the same as the [PSV academy coaches]. There was no conflict or anything like that, he just wanted to teach me his own things as well. Even though his son made it into the academy, he still wanted to be Dad, you know? So he continued to train me.

“My dad made me into a student of the game, but it was my mom who made me believe. You can tell your mom anything, right?”

How to watch PSV vs Liverpool

“She was a former rugby player, so she was a strong woman, but she was also very loving and kind. Every time I’d tell her my crazy dreams of being a pro footballer, I remember she was never like, ‘Oh, we’ll see,’ how parents sometimes are. She supported me and made me feel like I could do it.”

Gakpo’s drive and ability eventually took him to Liverpool but an earlier move to England was a distinct possibility. In 2022, Gakpo was attracting the interest of Manchester United but it came to nothing when the Red Devils picked up Anthony from PSV’s great rivals, Ajax.

Leeds United and Southampton were options too.

“I prayed, and I asked God for guidance. But you see, I had to make sure I got his message,” wrote Gakpo.

“So I said, If I score only one time, I’ll go to Southampton. If I score two times, I’ll go to Leeds. If I score three times, I’ll stay.

“I scored twice. I was also involved in a third goal – and at first, it was called as an own goal. Then I was subbed out. So, two goals, right? I thought, Ah, OK, it’s Leeds then. I was at peace with my decision.

“But after the game, they gave me the goal. I scored three, so my fate changed. I stayed at PSV.”

It’s not clear what would have happened if Gakpo had drawn a blank that day. Regardless, he stayed in Eindhoven and then went to the World Cup, where he convinced Liverpool of his worth.

23 Premier League goals later, it’s fair to say both parties are happy with the outcome.

Chris Nee

Chris is a freelance writer and the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter. He's based in Warwickshire and is the Head of Media for Coventry Sphinx.

Read more
Cody Gakpo (2L) celebrates scoring the team's second goal with Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk during the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 27, 2024.
'With Jurgen Klopp, we would play a long ball and then fight, but now that we’re playing with more patience and shorter passes, you can fully see how much quality our midfield has' Cody Gakpo reveals how Liverpool have altered style under Arne Slot
Cody Gakpo has 16 goals to his name for Liverpool in 2024/25
Is Cody Gakpo injured this weekend? Premier League injury update on Liverpool forward
Cody Gakpo celebrates a goal for Liverpool
Is Cody Gakpo injured this weekend? Premier League injury update on Liverpool forward
Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be looking to add to his squad come the summer months
Liverpool linked star lifts the lid on a potential career-defining move to Anfield: report
Manchester United's home: Old Trafford
'I was in the spotlight of big clubs: Arsenal was concrete and Manchester United was concrete - but Feyenoord was the dream' Star name drops Premier League clubs as having fought for his signature
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is enjoying a superb first season in England
'Liverpool wanted me to stay, but I had a few conversations with Slot and decided to leave. I will return to Liverpool and be a starter there': Ex-Reds star reveals reason behind summer departure, with Anfield dream highlighted
Latest in Stories
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
Jude Bellingham signed terms with adidas in 2024
RANKED! The top 10 Adidas football athletes of 2025
Latest in News
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report