Kaide Gordon produced a moment of magic for the Liverpool U23s on Monday to beat Crystal Palace 2-0 as 17-year-old enjoys a stellar January.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, the young forward explained how a month of firsts and learning from Mo Salah saw him become the second-youngest player to ever score for the Reds.
He said: “It’s been crazy, the last week or so. I didn’t really expect it all to come around so fast, but I’ve really enjoyed it.”
The teenager is unlikely to make any more appearances in the Premier League or Carabao Cup but he could start in the FA Cup against Cardiff City when the winter break comes to an end on the 6th of February.
Transfermarkt values him at €900,000 but that should increase rapidly if he continues to make waves at Anfield and Kirkby and after his goal against Crystal Palace on Monday, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Great solo goal from Kaide Gordon today to win Liverpool u23’s the game. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YfopVP2NRF
— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) January 24, 2022
The left-footed gem drove at the Palace defence for 50+ yards and even though the Eagles’ had players flooding back in support, he coolly cut inside and whipped the ball into the back of the net from just outside the box.
He may be just 17 but he’s already standing out at U23 level and all that remains for him to do this season is to make a Champions League appearance to cap off an unbelievable personal campaign.
That’s unlikely given what’s at stake in Europe and how fine the margins are between a win and a defeat but if the Reds are in a commanding position against Inter Milan in the second leg, they should not hesitate to give Gordon a chance to make a name for himself on the biggest club stage in the world.
While Gordon is an exciting player, his Arsenal display highlights how much he still needs to do to improve and max out his potential.
His movement was excellent against the Gunners as the Reds booked their place in the final of the Carabao Cup against Chelsea by winning 2-0 courtesy of a simply fantastic brace from Diogo Jota.
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Gordon says he’s learning a lot from Mo Salah but paying attention to Jota’s movement and clinical finishing will also help him improve in front of goal.
He said: “It’s helped me a lot seeing him, especially because Mo plays in my position so seeing what he does. He is the best player in the world right now, so watching him and the extras he does really helps. It pushes me to try to get onto his level.
“The different types of positions he picks up, he scores from anywhere, he doesn’t just stay out wide, he drifts inside and things like that, so that’s definitely helped.”
Gordon had a golden chance to score against Arsenal and steal the headlines but despite his intelligent movement to find a yard in the box, his finish whistled over the crossbar.
It will be used as a learning moment but it’s encouraging that he was able to work that space in such a tight game.
If he continues to get into space like that and makes those runs without getting discouraged my the misses that will inevitably ensue, he’ll start scoring for fun at senior level in a couple of seasons.
After he scored against Shrewsbury, Klopp commented on the youngster: “Kaide finishing-wise is no doubt, his finishing is exceptional but all the rest he is still a kid.
“When he is in these situations he is really calm. I am not saying he will always score in these situations in the rest of his career but more often than not.
“He has a nose for it. I know he is the second-youngest goalscorer for Liverpool, which is absolutely exceptional, but there is a way to go.
“No problem, Kaide has time, he will have his minutes here and there.”