Kaide Gordon raring to make Liverpool impact as Arne Slot admission made
Kaide Gordon is preparing for the most important season of his Liverpool career under new boss Arne Slot, returning to the side after nearly two years on the sidelines.
The 19-year-old made his debut under Jurgen Klopp in the Carabao Cup against Norwich City in the 2021/22 campaign, but his development has been halted by a pelvic growth issue that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2022/23 season.
Gordon returned to the first team fold last season and made three appearances for the Reds’ senior side. He is now with Slot and the rest of the squad for the pre-season tour of the USA, his first in two years, and is ready to make an impression on Jurgen Klopp’s successor this season.
“It’s definitely different to how the old gaffer was, but I’m enjoying it so far and I’ll just see how the season goes, to be honest,” he said to the Liverpool Echo (1 August).
“I’ve been speaking to John [Heitinga] quite a lot. He’s helping me with my finishing and all kinds of stuff like that, my positioning.
“It’s definitely different but I’m enjoying it. [My aim is] just get minutes, to be honest, wherever it is. Just hopefully get minutes.
“I feel like I need to get a good run of games this season so I can get back up to speed with everything and get back to where I was beforehand.”
Kaide Gordon eager to force himself into Liverpool first-team plans
Liverpool are developing an exciting crop of academy players at the AXA Training Centre. The focus last season was on the performances of Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Jayden Danns, but the return of Gordon to the first team flew under the radar.
He started the 2-1 defeat to Union SG in the Europa League and had two cameos off the bench in the Premier League and FA Cup.
Gordon slowly began his rehabilitation in the youth setup and recorded four goals and four assists in 14 appearances in the Premier League 2.
During his maiden season, he became the club’s youngest-ever goal scorer in the FA Cup with his first senior goal against Shrewsbury Town, and he started the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Arsenal at the Emirates to earn himself a winner’s medal.
He showed the quality to compete on the biggest stage for Liverpool at such a young age and could have established himself as deputy to Mohamed Salah had he not suffered a long-term injury.
Now he has to compete with Ben Doak for a spot behind Salah in the Liverpool side. The Scottish winger has been subject of interest from a loan move from Leicester City and Southampton, which would benefit both youngsters with the Reds facing a huge decision on Salah’s future as he enters the final year of his contract.
Liverpool fans are getting nervous about the club’s lack of transfer activity this summer, but for the first time in a long time, they have an exciting crop of academy players vying for an opportunity to impress this season.
Slot has a decision to make on the future of those players. Whether that be a season-long loan move or fighting for a spot in his side, Gordon seems eager for the challenge. If past performances can be replicated, he will take his chance with both hands.
In other Liverpool news, Jarell Quansah shows why he has to start after his latest Liverpool display.
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