Opinion

Liverpool may have moved closer to signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle as saga takes unexpected twist

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As a terrific season begins to draw to a close for Liverpool, eyes are starting to turn towards the summer transfer market.

The Reds are all set to win the Premier League in the next month, with two more wins all that is needed to get Arne Slot’s team over the line.

Having been robbed of the chance to party with fans in 2019/20, the celebrations both at Anfield and in the city during the days that follow will be something to behold.

This is a party 35 years in the making, as Liverpool supporters finally see their team crowned in front of a full stadium. It will be special.

One man who will perhaps see those celebrations and wonder what could have been is Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon.

Gordon almost joined Liverpool last summer but was denied a dream move to his boyhood club when Newcastle pulled the plug late on. There have since been suggestions that Liverpool could come back in for Gordon and it looks as though that could be taking an unexpected step closer to happening.

Newcastle United FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

Harvey Barnes form raises Anthony Gordon question

Although losing out on a move to Liverpool must have disappointed Gordon, he has since knuckled down and had another good season with Newcastle. The 24-year-old also signed a new contract in October, which put to bed talk of a transfer to some degree.

However, with Luis Diaz’s future in question this summer, there is still a real chance that Liverpool will turn to a player of Gordon’s ilk to replace the Colombian.

Gordon is clearly a player Liverpool like for that, but given his previous status as an undisputed starter at Newcastle, it felt like a difficult deal to do.

But over recent weeks, Gordon has started to lose his place in Eddie Howe’s team. After getting himself suspended for the Carabao Cup final, the Scouser then picked up an injury.

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From Gordon’s point of view, that came at exactly the wrong time. Harvey Barnes has taken his chance in the starting XI brilliantly, smashing in four goals in three games, reducing Gordon to substitute appearances against Man United and Crystal Palace.

With Barnes scoring nine goals to Gordon’s six in much less game time, perhaps Newcastle will conclude that there is life beyond the former Everton man and be willing to listen to a Liverpool approach this summer.

Could Gordon really join Liverpool?

When Liverpool were trying to sign Gordon last summer, he was still a key player for Newcastle. And yet, with the player himself keen on the move, the Reds almost managed to sign him.

Position Team Played MP Won W Drawn D Lost L For GF Against GA Diff GD Points Pts
1 LiverpoolLiverpool32 23 7 2 74 31 43 76
2 ArsenalArsenal32 17 12 3 57 27 30 63
3 NewcastleNewcastle32 18 5 9 61 40 21 59
4 Nottm ForestNottingham Forest32 17 6 9 51 38 13 57

Given their much-publicised PSR issues of the past year or two, there remains a feeling that the Magpies may eventually need to sell one of their big assets in order to reinvest and keep developing their squad.

Having unexpectedly seen that Barnes is actually a genuine candidate to play more regularly for them, perhaps they will see a window of opportunity to cash in on Gordon.

Certainly, the former Everton winger would be open to joining the Reds and with Diaz going there could be a spot on for him within the Liverpool squad.

Newcastle fans will not like it, and of course once he’s fully fit again and Barnes’ purple patch is over, Gordon will probably come back into the team. But that may not be before the end of the season. Perhaps Liverpool would be wise to start putting something in motion in the meantime.