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Liverpool U21s came from two goals down to draw with Chesterfield in the Vertu Trophy on Tuesday, with Kaide Gordon scoring twice for the young Reds.
Gordon, 21, has been in impressive form of late and is clearly too good to be playing at youth level. The Vertu Trophy offers the chance for U21s sides to face senior teams, with Chesterfield currently 10th in League Two.
Bailey Hobson and Dylan Duffy put Chesterfield two goals ahead with only half an hour remaining in the game. Gordon then stepped up to net twice for Liverpool, with the equalizer coming in the 92nd minute.
While this is still the group phase of the competition, teams can pick up an extra point for winning the penalty shootout that follows a tie. Liverpool did here, and therefore has two points.
It previously lost against Crewe Alexandra and Burton Albion, however, and is therefore bottom of the group, exiting the tournament rather than progressing into the knockout phase.
As well as scoring twice in the game itself, Gordon, who played seven times under Jurgen Klopp, also netted in the shootout. John Fleck missed the decisive spot kick when he hit the bar, leaving the scoreline at 10-11.
Gordon played for Liverpool at senior level for the first time in 2021. He started the League Cup semi-final against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in January 2022, shortly after making his Premier League debut against Brentford.
"We are really happy to have him around and we will treat him carefully, let me say it like this," Jurgen Klopp said at the time. "I am really happy that he is here, he is a big talent."
Josh Sonni-Lambie, Carter Pinnington, Lucas Pitt, Rhys Williams, Wellity Lucky, Fabian Mrozek were also among those to net for Liverpool in the shootout.
Gordon, who featured for Liverpool's senior team in the League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace last month, was superb in the mini-derby against Everton a few days earlier.
"We played him slightly differently today," manager Rob Page told Liverpool.com after that game. "We gave him that free role to find the space between the midfield and the two center-backs.
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"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.
"Kaide was obviously looking to go out on loan 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."
Liverpool U21s are not in action again until January 9, a full 58 days away. However, Page is hoping to book in a few friendlies to keep his players ticking over until then.
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