Andoni Iraola will lead his Liverpool side into a Premier League game on Friday evening without the transfer window hanging over him for the first time this season. Liverpool are seeking their first win of the new campaign after drawing their opening two fixtures against Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest.
Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town await at Portman Road. While many fans will be eager to move on from transfers and focus on on-pitch matters, the fallout from the Reds' summer window continues.
Gakpo's future clear
Cody Gakpo appears undeterred and ready to go despite almost leaving Liverpool on deadline day. After being courted by Tottenham Hotspur for much of the summer, the Dutchman became a target for Manchester City, who were willing to pay around £85 million for the 27-year-old forward.
The switch would only have materialised if Liverpool had brought in another attacker. But with moves for Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr and Brighton's Yankuba Minteh not forthcoming, Gakpo's exit was blocked as the Reds rejected City's bid.
The Dutch star, who has started the season well, will be in the squad to face Ipswich. Iraola has claimed he has had an open dialogue with Gakpo throughout the transfer drama and is happy to pick him for the Premier League tie.
"My relationship with Cody has been very honest from the beginning," the Basque head coach said. "He has played very well for us so far. He was always aware of the situation in the market, we were constantly talking, I hope we can keep him at the same level. He is in a good place physically and mentally and I'm very happy to pick him."
Outgoing star issues statement
Stefan Bajcetic has released a heartfelt message on social media as his time at Liverpool came to an end. The midfielder completed a transfer to Celta Vigo on August 31.
Liverpool signed Bajcetic in 2021 and he broke into the first team a year later, looking set to star in the midfield for years to come. However, a calf injury wrecked his development and forced him to miss most of the 2023/24 season. The 21-year-old then struggled in loan spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas.
Having entered the final year of his contract at Anfield, Liverpool decided to sell Bajcetic for a profit rather than risk losing him for nothing next summer. The midfielder has no hard feelings, clearly.
Part of the Spanish star's message read: "The love you have gave me throughout the 5 years I spent in Liverpool has been incredible, it’s easy to show love when things go in the right direction, but as you know it hasn’t always been the case with me, and you have been there for me at all times.
"This club is a massive family and it wouldn’t be with all the people that work for it, from chefs, kitchen staff, player care, groundskeepers, media, kit man, and all the hundred departments this club has, everyone makes out life so much easier and keeps this club as big as it is. I will miss you so much.
"Physios, doctors, medical department, what can I say, unfortunately, we got to spend so much time together, we lived so many ups and downs, and you have always gave your best for me, I will always be grateful. This club will stay in my heart forever. Once a red, forever a red."
