Following two unsuccessful loan spells, Kaide Gordon has again had the door opened to a move away from Liverpool by under-21s coach Rob Page.
When Gordon broke into the first-team setup under Jurgen Klopp at the end of 2021, his talent was such that some supporters began to suggest he could be a long-term successor for Mo Salah.
Unfortunately for the Burton-born attacker, his career hasn’t taken that trajectory due to a combination of long-term injuries and unproductive loans.
Now, though, he is impressing again at the academy under new under-21s manager Rob Page, who has suggested he could play for a different club in the second half of the campaign.
Speaking about the 21-year-old after a strong showing against Everton U21s, Page said: “He was obviously looking to go out on loan (in the summer) for his next step in his career.
“All he can do is maintain his level of performance like that and the rest will take care of itself, whether it is here or whether it is elsewhere.
“He has just got to make sure that he brings that level to every game and come January, if he is continuing to play like that, there will be people at the door to take him, no doubt.
“We’re continuing to work every day with him and there is still room for improvement, but when he gives performances like that, he has got to make people stand up and take note.”
A strong showing in the derby
In Sunday’s mini-derby, Gordon stood out as one of Liverpool’s leaders, battling through the Kirkby rain to win 4-1.
Playing as Liverpool’s No. 10, the former England youth international did excellently to create Keyrol Figueroa’s opener, and he was loud throughout when directing his younger teammates.
Page added: “We played him slightly differently today – we gave him that free role to find the space between the midfield and the two centre-backs.
“I think he relished it and he’ll be really disappointed that he’s not scored a few goals, but Kaide was full of energy and always looked a threat.
“I thought Trent (Kone-Doherty), his deliveries into the box, especially for Figgy’s header as well, they always looked vulnerable with balls into the box and that was the message at half-time, continue to do it.
“Overall, we’re really pleased.”
How did we get here?
As mentioned, Gordon’s career hasn’t so far panned out in the way he would have hoped, having started in a Carabao Cup semi-final away at Arsenal in 2022.
Later that season, he suffered a pelvic injury that kept him out for 19 months, severely hampering his development.
Upon his return, he was slowly integrated back into the first-team squad on a semi-regular basis during the early stages of the 2023/24 campaign.
A new long-term deal followed for Gordon at the end of the season before he left for Norwich on loan.
His time in East Anglia proved ineffective, however, as he started just one match and scored one goal, which led to him being recalled in January.
His next destination was the south coast, where he signed for another Championship outfit, Portsmouth. Game time was even sparser there, with the winger failing to start a single match under manager John Mousinho.
Back at Liverpool for pre-season, Gordon was among the under-21s’ best players in their friendlies under new boss Page.
He has taken that form into the season and, while a desired summer loan move never came, the 21-year-old has shown an attitude that will carry him well wherever he ends up playing his football.
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