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Liverpool’s transfer deadline-day business dominated headlines as Alexander Isak signed, Marc Guehi’s deal fell through, and Harvey Elliott ended his five-year association with the club.
But another minor transfer saga went largely unreported. Kaide Gordon’s transfer hokey-cokey ended with the young Liverpool star remaining in situ for now, but his long-term future is still uncertain.
Most Reds will be familiar with Gordon, the explosive winger who came to prominence in January 2022, when the then 17-year-old became Liverpool’s second-youngest goalscorer in an FA Cup tie against Shrewsbury Town. But since then, Gordon’s momentum has slowed, mainly due to a devastating 19-month injury absence.
Having fully returned to fitness in January 2024 and featuring three times for Jurgen Klopp’s senior side, there was hope last summer that a spell in the EFL would prove beneficial. But short-term stints at Norwich City and Portsmouth underwhelmed and he managed just one senior start across both clubs.
It was a learning curve for Gordon, who had a first taste of being a permanent feature in a senior squad. Few immediately adjust, and Norwich still regarded Gordon highly. The Caranaries were understood to be reluctant to let Gordon leave in January.
Having returned to Liverpool in the summer, there was an expectation that a loan would be easy to secure, with sources indicating to Liverpool.com in June that a move could be on the cards soon.
Gordon was told to enjoy a holiday in late May, clear his head and return to Liverpool for pre-season before a loan was secured. That plan didn’t quite come to fruition, despite interest from clubs in the Championship.
Former side Derby County was reportedly among them, but no club was willing to pull the trigger. Those familiar with the situation feel Gordon’s previous loan spells made other clubs wary.
In the meantime, the 20-year-old returned to Kirkby and made an immediate impression with Under-21 coach Rob Page, who was impressed by Gordon’s attitude and displays in pre-season friendlies. However, as the transfer window entered its final week, there were some concerns that a loan may not materialize. By now, interest was mainly concentrated further down the pyramid.
League One Blackpool expressed its interest, and that remained an option until deadline day, although sources have told Liverpool.com that discussions over a loan never amounted to much.
There was hope even as late as Monday lunchtime that other interested parties would come forward, but so late in the window, most opportunities had gone cold.
While Blackpool had certainly piqued the player’s interest, the sense in the final knockings of the window was that Gordon’s best course was to remain at Liverpool for now. That decision was made less than three hours before the window shut and although other clubs were keen, none felt like the right option for Gordon or Liverpool.
He is not the only recognizable member of Page’s Under-21 squad who failed to secure an Anfield exit this summer. Calvin Ramsay and Rhys Williams are still based at Kirkby, a situation not expected just a few weeks ago.
All three will look to play regularly at underage level between now and January, before reassessing their options again during the winter market.
Gordon shone back in his hometown of Burton on Wednesday as Liverpool lost 2-0 in the Vertu Trophy, with more positive displays anticipated in the coming months.
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