Cody Gakpo had lucky escape as Man City ‘fear’ emerges before Liverpool clash

Theo Squires of the Liverpool Echo argues that Cody Gakpo had a lucky escape after his proposed summer transfer from Liverpool to Manchester City collapsed. Manchester City submitted an £80m bid for the forward before Liverpool blocked the move, with City subsequently found guilty of 114 financial breaches, leaving the club facing potential point deductions or relegation.

Gakpo admitted he had expected to join City before Liverpool decided to retain him under new head coach Andoni Iraola. While the 27-year-old has since impressed with two goals and four assists, he now faces an ankle injury that could rule him out of Liverpool's upcoming clash against City on October 11.