Liverpool will soon need ‘wicked’ 19-year-old to cover in the first-team

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It has certainly been a good season for Liverpool youngsters so far.

The standout has most definitely been Jarell Quansah, who has stepped into the first-team with ease throughout the early months of the season.

But others have been in the mix, too. None has had anything like the impact of Quansah, but the likes of Ben Doak and Conor Bradley have built on previous appearances, while James McConnell and Luke Chambers are just two to have made promising debuts.

In amongst all that lot, Kaide Gordon’s reappearance in the senior side has gone slightly under the radar. Once thought of as the next big thing at Anfield, the 19-year-old is no longer the headline event.

Nevertheless, it’s brilliant news that after almost two years on the side lines, Gordon is now back. His start against Union Saint-Gilloise will have done wonders for his fitness and confidence and it surely isn’t the last we’ve seen of the forward this season.

Given his need for minutes though, there have today been some rumours that Liverpool may look to loan Gordon out. Birmingham City in particular are said to be keen on taking him, with Wayne Rooney looking for a reunion from their days at Derby County. For a number of reasons though, the Reds can’t let this happen.

Liverpool should keep Gordon

First of all, it’s unlikely that Gordon is even ready for a loan. Having barely played since January 2022, the former Derby prospect is probably a long way from being match-fit.

Kaide looked rusty against Union SG last week and obviously needs time to get back to where he was.

Playing is the only real way to do that, of course. But is a Championship relegation battle really the right place for him to do that? At this stage, we’d say not.

It’s also worth pointing out that there’s a real chance for Gordon to get the minutes he needs at Liverpool this season. Having been called ‘wicked’ by former teammate Colin Kazim-Richards, he has the quality.

Mohamed Salah is also due to head to AFCON in January. Meanwhile, Doak is having to have surgery on a torn meniscus. The Scottish youngster may be out for a while.

As a result, Jurgen Klopp may well need Gordon for the months ahead. It was during Salah same absence in 2022 that Kaide really announced himself back in 2022.

Having featured from the start in the Carabao Cup semi-final away to Arsenal, perhaps Gordon can do the same at Fulham this time around. That would put a nice symmetry on what has been a tough couple of years for the young forward.

In order to get to a place where he can do that, there’ll need to be a handful of cameo appearances before then. But if he gets his chance, we think Gordon will remind everyone of his quality. He could be a real weapon, there’s no need for him to go anywhere.