Jurgen Klopp picks out Kaide Gordon’s key quality as Liverpool teenager makes history in FA Cup win

Kaide Gordon made history as a makeshift Liverpool side fought back from a goal down to beat Shrewsbury Town 4-1 in the FA Cup third round on Sunday.

Daniel Udoh netted a shock opener for the League One visitors at Anfield but 17-year-old forward Gordon struck an equaliser just seven minutes later to become Liverpool’s youngest ever FA Cup goalscorer.

Fabinho then put the Reds ahead from penalty spot just before half-time and substitute Roberto Firmino all but sealed victory with a cheeky backheel before his Brazilian countryman scored his second of the game on full-time.

Fabinho may have bagged a brace in the tie but it was it was the quality of Gordon’s landmark goal at the Kop end which really stood out.

Exciting young talent

Gordon, who at 17 years and 96 days also became the club’s second-youngest all-time scorer after Ben Woodburn, was making only his second appearance for the club after becoming a  £1.1 million signing from Derby County a year ago.

The way in which he controlled the cross into a crowded area from Conor Bradley, another of the five academy players in the starting line-up, and had the composure to turn his body and pick a spot beyond goalkeeper Marko Marosi belied his inexperience.

The youngster deservedly received a standing ovation when he was replaced 10 minutes from time.

What Klopp said about Gordon

Asked about Gordon’s impact and stunning goal after the match, Klopp said: "He’s a real talent and his main strength is his finishing."

The Reds boss added: “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.

“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.

“His finishing is exceptional but all the rest he is still a kid,” said Klopp. “No problem, Kaide has time, he will have his minutes here and there.”

COVID hit team selection

Liverpool have suffered with a COVID outbreak in the camp this week and had Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal postponed after the club had to shut down the training ground for 48 hours.

Klopp himself recently left self-isolation to take his place in the dugout and it is little surprise that the Reds fielded a team with quintet of Academy players.

Bradley, Gordon, Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Max Woltman and Tyler Morton have just 15 Liverpool senior appearances between them - the latter accounting for seven of those.

Klopp said: "This was the team we could line up today and the boys did really well.

“We had last week a proper outbreak and it showed up that we had a lot of false positives but the rules are like they are so all these players who are false positives couldn’t play.

“The only real positive came from Trent Alexander-Arnold and all the rest was false positives.”

What’s next?

The Reds will play their rearranged Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Thursday.

They will play Championship side Cardiff City in the fourth round of the FA Cup in February.