Liverpool star Cody Gakpo incredibly reveals how close he came to joining Prem strugglers but left transfer up to fate
Liverpool star Cody Gakpo incredibly reveals how close he came to joining Prem strugglers but left transfer up to fate
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LIVERPOOL star Cody Gakpo was one goal away from joining one of two sides who were struggling in the Premier League. Gakpo, who linked with Leeds and Southampton before his Anfield move, said he let fate decide his future and "asked God for a sign.". Several paving stones had to fall into place for Gakpo to sign for Liverpool - including a hat-trick scored by chance.
![[Cody Gakpo in an ESPN interview.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/gakpo-espn-interview-967531044.jpg?strip=all&w=907)
Manchester United explored the possibility of signing him when a deal for Ajax attacker Antony proved difficult. But when United appeared to pull out of the race for Gakpo, the forward had three options left in 2022: join Leeds, the Saints or stay at PSV.
![[Cody Gakpo of PSV celebrating after scoring a goal.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/3cc2c29d-6268-47e7-b824-fefb0c9b15b1.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Gakpo told ESPN that he used a league game against Volendam to make his mind up in an extraordinary way. The 25-year-old said: "I prayed, and I asked God for guidance. But you see, I had to make sure I got his message. "So I said, 'If I score only once I’ll go to Southampton…. If I score twice, I’ll go to Leeds…. If I score three times, I’ll stay.".
![[Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring a goal for Liverpool.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/18-cody-gakpo-celebrates-scoring-966581992.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The striker added: "The next day we played, and 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.
CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. "As I was sitting on the bench, I told my friend, Jordan Teze, who now plays for Monaco, the whole story. "He was like, ‘If God wants you to stay, that own goal will be awarded to you.’. "It was like a coin toss, waiting to see what they decided. It could have gone either way!.
