Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has shared some “really exciting” news involving one of the Reds’ best young talents in recent years.
The Liverpool boss told his press conference – as shared on the Reds’ YouTube channel – that Kaide Gordon has been training with the senior team.
Klopp also said the 19-year-old has been looking “really good” in the sessions at the AXA Training Centre.
Gordon has been sensational for Liverpool since joining their ranks from Derby in 2021. He has already made four senior appearances for the Reds.
However, the teenager has endured some serious injury struggles, with a pelvic problem linked to his physical growth causing him to miss over 18 months of football.
There have also been other setbacks, such as the ankle issue that forced him on the sidelines in September, as reported by the Liverpool Echo at the time.
Gordon hadn’t featured in a Liverpool squad since January 2022 before making the bench against Toulouse in the Europa League two weeks ago.
Now, speaking ahead of the Premier League meeting with Manchester City, Klopp was able to divulge the good news on Gordon, as well as fellow prodigy Conor Bradley.
“Only the long-term absentees are still out, no new concerns before I entered this room,” said the Liverpool boss.
“Conor Bradley completed normal in training but now he needs to play games, starting with the U21s.
“Kaide Gordon trained with us all week, which is really exciting, looks really good. [He] is now to gain minutes, but I think that’s it.”
‘So much potential’
Back in 2021, Gordon was the talk of Anfield, with fans, pundits and colleagues all singing his praises.
“Kaide has so much potential; it’s frightening, really,” Trent Alexander-Arnold told The Athletic at the time.
Meanwhile, Goal.com quoted Joe Gomez as saying: “He does extra things (in training) that wouldn’t even have crossed my mind when I was his age.
“Hats off to him, and I’m sure he can go on to have a great career. The platform he has, there’s no ceiling to it.”
Sadly, injury has cost Gordon nearly two years of his career. However, he looks like he’s on the mend, and it’s good to hear Klopp is still giving him chances and singing his praises.
Let’s hope he can get back up to speed and stake a claim for regular first-team football on the red half of Merseyside.