Liverpool’s big summer is set to be approaching its conclusion with the closing of the summer transfer window set for this coming Monday. In a window that already includes Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, the Reds are hoping to bring in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi as well as finally seeing the conclusion to the transfer saga of the summer involving Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.

It’s already a blockbuster summer in terms of the personnel side of things for the Reds, with the potential to be a truly memorable one depending not only on any other in-comings, but also on how the signings themselves pan out. The future is, to borrow from the voice of Millenials Natasha Bedingfield, unwritten.

Perhaps slightly less intriguing for fans, though, is the still important piece of retaining the services of important players. To that end, Liverpool’s announcement that Cody Gakpo had signed a contract extension might feel a bit anticlimactic given everyone’s focus on a specific center forward. Retaining players like Gakpo, though, is vital for the club’s success and so this news ought to be greeted quite positively.

The Dutch winger sat down with the official site to talk about life on Merseyside and was quite effusive in their words for both the club and City. In fact, Gakpo even referred to Liverpool as being a second home.

“I truly do. Often when we have [days] off I just stay here because I like it so much. But I think from the moment I came I got a warm welcome from everybody in the club and outside. That also made me feel at home very quick. For me, it’s always a big thing and it’s very important to feel at home.”

Cody was also quite reflective of his time in Liverpool and the ways in which he has developed into a better footballer while a part of the Reds

“I think I developed a lot. Obviously [I] played different positions as well, which eventually helped me to grow as a player, in my opinion. I think last season I had a very good season, we all as a team had a very good season, which also gives then a boost to stay hungry for more and to keep developing and try to win as much as possible in the years to come.”

Gakpo’s time at Liverpool is certainly interesting given how often he’s been moved about the pitch. There’s a lot to appreciate in the way Gakpo’s taken that early experimentation with willingness. Successful teams need players that approach their role in a collaborative endeavor with that same openness and humility.

Here’s hoping the rest of Cody’s tenure with us brings with it many more trophies and accolades.