Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo stands out as a unique figure among contemporary footballers. While his teammates indulged in overnight flights to Singapore with intense Netflix crime dramas, hip-hop music, or Candy Crush, the Dutchman chose to spend quality time reading the Bible.

When Liverpool players were polled on their ‘sound of the summer,’ their choices ranged from Virgil Van Dijk’s nod to Travis Scott and Drake’s “Meltdown” to Andy Robertson’s fondness for Neil Diamond and Mo Salah’s preference for Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” In contrast, Gakpo’s favorite was ‘gospel music.’

Gakpo has always held a religious perspective on life, and this aspect of his life has grown stronger in recent years. This period saw him become the poster-boy for the Netherlands at the World Cup and secure a move to Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven last winter.

In Gakpo’s words, “Not only in my career, religion helps my whole life. It’s a lifestyle for me. I take the Bible with me everywhere and every day, in the UK or wherever else. I speak to people about it every day, always trying to learn from it. My family is religious. For four years or something now, I’ve been really trying to get to grips with it. I was always searching for something. It’s about learning how to live your life. There are lots of different passages I like.”

Gakpo’s down-to-earth and studious nature is refreshing, and at just 24 years old, the £44 million fee paid for the Eindhoven-born forward could prove to be a bargain. During his seven months at Liverpool, Gakpo has showcased his versatility by playing as a winger, leading the line as a No. 9, and demonstrating creativity from midfield.

Jurgen Klopp values this versatility, with summer signings Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister also being seen as players who can fulfill multiple roles.

When asked about his preferred position, Gakpo humorously responds, “Just to play! There are differences, and you have to change some things, go deeper and defend more. It’s difficult (to pick my best position). It depends on the game or opponent. I just like to be in a position to get on the ball a lot. I like to carry from midfield to the attack. I just want to get a lot of goals and assists!”

Gakpo’s best friend in the Liverpool squad is compatriot Virgil Van Dijk, who has been named the club captain following Jordan Henderson’s departure. However, like many of his teammates, Gakpo is still coming to terms with the departure of ‘big brother’ Henderson.

He says of Henderson, “Hendo was a real captain inside and outside the field. Always there for everybody, a big personality, an example for how professional players should be. I really looked up to him. I learned a lot from him. A really great man, as the coach said, we will miss him. Jordan was always asking me how I was, if where I was living was OK. He was like a big brother.”

Gakpo is adapting to life under Klopp, and he’s enjoying the intensity of pre-season. He reflects on his daily routine during the tour, saying, “Wake up, train, breakfast, train, rest a bit, train.” However, he’s also grateful for the rest he had during the summer.

During the off-season, while many Premier League stars partied on vacation islands, Gakpo traveled to his father’s homeland, Togo, to recharge and contribute to the community through charity work.

“It was my first time over there,” he shares. “It was amazing, a really nice experience to see lots of family. My family does some charity work there, so I helped. It is important to help, to give back as much as I can.”

Now, Gakpo is focused on the future. In the previous season, he scored 20 goals and provided 20 assists in club football, including a brace in the 7-0 victory over Manchester United. However, it was a disappointing year for Liverpool, finishing fifth and failing to win a trophy.

As for his aspirations for the new campaign, Gakpo succinctly states, “To forget about last season. To go back to winning trophies again. That’s the plan, everybody is on board. Everybody wants to put it right.”