Who is the 17-year-old Liverpool starlet pictured training with Mo Salah this week?

The youngster is highly rated at Anfield and has a bright future ahead.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with Kaide Gordon. Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty ImagesLiverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with Kaide Gordon. Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with Kaide Gordon. Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Kaide Gordon has trained with the Liverpool first team squad plenty of times this season but public interest piqued in the talented youngster this week when a picture emerged of him doing so alongside global superstars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

Manager Jurgen Klopp was putting the team through their paces at the club’s AXA Training Centre ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa at Anfield.

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So who is Gordon? And why are Liverpool fans so excited about seeing him train alongside their star players?

Kaide Gordon trains with the Liverpool first-team squad at their at AXA Training Centre. Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesKaide Gordon trains with the Liverpool first-team squad at their at AXA Training Centre. Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Kaide Gordon trains with the Liverpool first-team squad at their at AXA Training Centre. Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Who is Kaide Gordon?

The teenage winger signed his first professional contract with Liverpool earlier this year.

It was a reward for the 17-year-old's rapid progress at Anfield, having arrived from Derby County in a deal worth up to £3 million.

Gordon featured heavily in pre-season before catching the eye when making his Reds debut in a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Norwich City in September.

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The winger has been lauded by manager Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk and he has a bright future ahead.

Where does he play?

Gordon is a left-footed winger but prefers to play on the right-hand side. He’s direct and relishes attacking defences at any opportunity. He’s also capable of playing a central attacking role.

What’s his background?

Gordon came through Derby County’s academy, having joined at under-nine level.

Last season, he was a regular for the Rams’ under-18s despite only being of schoolboy age. He bagged a hat-trick in a 5-1 victory against Blackburn Rovers.

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His impressive performances saw him break into Derby’s first team midway through the campaign. Gordon was handed his debut by Wayne Rooney in a 4-0 Championship victory over Birmingham on December 29.

Doing so, he became the Rams’ fourth-youngest player in the club’s history.

The teenager was then an unused substitute for games against Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday and Bournemouth before Liverpool swooped for him.

Kaide Gordon signed for the Red for an initial £1.1m rising to £3.4m from Derby County earlier this year and one coach at the Rams has described that fee as "a steal" (The Athletic)Kaide Gordon signed for the Red for an initial £1.1m rising to £3.4m from Derby County earlier this year and one coach at the Rams has described that fee as "a steal" (The Athletic)
Kaide Gordon signed for the Red for an initial £1.1m rising to £3.4m from Derby County earlier this year and one coach at the Rams has described that fee as "a steal" (The Athletic)

Staying involved at Liverpool

Assistant manager Pep Lijnders couldn't hide his excitement about Gordon when watching him train with the under-23s in the summer.

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Lijnders was immediately on the phone to Klopp telling him about the youngster's quality.

As a result, Gordon trained with Klopp's first team for the entirety of pre-season, culminating in an outing against Osasuna at Anfield.

The forward has remained rubbing shoulders with the likes of Van Dijk, Mo Salah and Co on a regular basis during the campaign - eventually earning that debut against Norwich.

What are his first-team chances?

Gordon was highly impressive on his senior Liverpool bow against the Canaries.

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Featuring in a right-wing role, Gordon was a constant threat against Premier League opposition.

His performance rightly left Kopites purring and wanting to see more of him.

In truth, Gordon won't get too many opportunities in the Premier League.

With Salah and Mane occupying the flanks, Gordon could hardly grumble given they're two of the best wide man on the planet.

But taking his chances in cup competitions is paramount.

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The Reds remain in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup campaign starts in January.

Kaide Gordon on the ball at Norwich. Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty ImagesKaide Gordon on the ball at Norwich. Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images
Kaide Gordon on the ball at Norwich. Picture: ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Premier League debut

While it's hard to see Gordon featuring prominently in Liverpool's title charge, we shouldn't rule out the odd outing here and there - particularly towards the back end.

If the Reds are still fighting for both the Premier League and Champions League, Klopp will be aware of managing Salah and Mane's minutes to ensure they don’t suffer injury or fatigue.

The likes of Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino are in reserve and may be turned to first.

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But there's every chance that Klopp hand Gordon opportunities off the bench, especially if Liverpool are in an insurmountable position in the game.

He has been on the bench once so far this season, but did not feature in the Premier League match against Arsenal.

January loan move

With that being said, a loan move in January could be the direction to take.

Gordon made one Championship appearance for Derby and had thrust his way into Wayne Rooney's plans before his move to Liverpool.

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The fledgling ace could now be ready for regular action in the second tier. Certainly, he wouldn't be short of suitors.

Having already recorded two goals and two assist in 11 outings for the under-23s this term, Gordon is ready for the step.

Harvey Elliott benefited hugely from spending last season at Blackburn Rovers.

He was a firm member of Klopp's set-up and made three successive Premier League starts before dislocating his ankle against Leeds United.

Gordon could follow the same trajectory.