Iraola ‘honest’ over failed Gakpo deal: ‘He was well aware of the situation’

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola says he has been “honest since the beginning” with Cody Gakpo after the Netherlands international’s £85 million move to Manchester City fell through late on transfer deadline day.

The Reds were widely reported to have rejected City’s offer because they had not been able to sign a replacement for the wide forward, who scored nine goals in all competitions last season and put Liverpool ahead in their 2-2 draw at Newcastle in their season opener on August 23.

“He was well aware of the situation in the market,” said Iraola. “We were constantly talking with each other.

“Cody is a very smart player. My relationship with him has been honest since the beginning. He has performed very well in all the pre-season [and league] games.

“He has trained very well and I hope we keep him at the same level. He is in a good place physically and mentally. I am glad to keep Cody because he is a valuable player.”

Liverpool squad: What Iraola said about right wing

Iraola, who made bids for wingers including Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh, pointed out that he has been operating with the likes of new left-winger Victor Munoz, Gakpo and prospect Rio Ngumoha on the right.

“I have seen them [play well] on the right,” he added. “Rio is probably more specific to the left side, but he has the willingness to improve and play on the right side.”

Bradley Barcola: New Liverpol signing ‘priority’

Liverpool signed Bradley Barcola – a right-footed left-sided forward – for £123m from Paris Saint-Germain on Monday.

“He is very open and I think he can play right and left,” suggested Iraola. “He started on the right side when he [was] with Lyon and it will depend on the match-ups, but I am happy with the wingers we have in those positions.

“[Barcola] was our priority, let’s say – to sign a very, very good player in that position.

“He has come with the right mentality. I liked from him that he wanted Liverpool a lot. He just wanted to come here and that is a good first sign, being the player he is [with] the things that he has won.”

Ipswich Town vs Liverpool: Barcola ‘available’

Having followed up that result at Newcastle by drawing 2-2 at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Liverpool will seek their first competitive win under Iraola by visiting Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town on Friday.

Barcola could make his debut against opponents who beat Sunderland 2-1 at home in their opener but lost 5-2 at Manchester United on Sunday.

“He has come with the willingness to help us,” Iraola said of Barcola. “I am very happy with him and he trained well with us.

“It’s true he hasn’t had minutes in pre-season but he has been training and it’s a decision we have to make.

“If everything goes well in training [on Thursday], he will definitely be available.

“We need a win. We are frustrated with this part of the job… I want to win, I need to win.

“The first two gameweeks were probably the most difficult ones, in terms of the market being open.

“Now I am much more comfortable. The market has closed and we know who we are. We have a lot of talent. Now we have to perform and do our job. We will start [against Ipswich].”

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