Winger Kaide Gordon joined Norwich City in the summer, and Arne Slot, the new manager of Liverpool, decided to let him go on loan for the first time in his brief career.
At the age of eight, Gordon began playing football with Derby County in 2013. However, on December 29, 2020, he made his senior debut for the Rams as a substitute in a 4-0 victory over Birmingham City.
Liverpool signed the teenage winger in February 2021 after he made his debut for boyhood club Derby at the early age of 16. Although the team’s off-field problems meant they would have to cash in on their most promising young players at the moment, he was incredibly well regarded at Pride Park.
The Telegraph’s John Percy confirmed that Gordon will be joining the Premier League team for an initial payment of approximately £1 million, while the team may ultimately have to pay up to £3 million for the adolescent.
Later that year, in a rather ironic away EFL Cup match against Norwich, Gordon made his senior debut for the Reds. A few months later, he scored on his Anfield bow against Shrewsbury Town to become the team’s youngest FA Cup goalscorer.
Gordon’s physical progress has unfortunately resulted in pelvic issues that have kept him out of action for a significant portion of his Liverpool career. Back in the summer, there were rumours that Liverpool may approve a loan agreement to make sure Gordon’s recuperation included regular first-team play.
Norwich City’s deal with Kaide Gordon hasn’t worked out.
Zeke Downes, a Norwich City fan commentator for FLW, was asked what he thought of Gordon’s early success at the club, given that the Liverpool youngster hasn’t been given the consistent first-team starts that he and his parent club may have hoped for.
Zeke told FLW: “Kaide Gordon is a strange one because, although he seemed like a highly exciting player when we signed him, I do think he wasn’t the first choice.
“We were trying to acquire another player on loan, but I can’t recall who it was. Then, on the day of the deadline, we received Gordon.
“I don’t think he’ll be playing much anymore. He doesn’t actually do much when he comes on. He hasn’t really been with the squad lately.
He’s probably going to be returning to Liverpool. I have no idea why that hasn’t worked. He’s either not the kind of player we need or he’s not ready.
“I do definitely think we need to terminate the loan and bring in a better winger instead of him – be that on loan or as a permanent deal.”
Kaide Gordon may yet prove to be a success, but the move to Norwich City was made too soon.
Over the past ten years, Liverpool has had remarkable success in producing attacking players through loans to Championship teams.
Harry Wilson scored more than 20 goals during his outstanding 2018–19 season at Derby County, and his successful loan at Hull City helped pave the road for his Premier League future.
Harvey Elliott’s 2020–21 loan at Blackburn Rovers had a similar effect, as he returned to Anfield to establish himself as a vital member. Ben Doak has taken a similar route with Middlesbrough, and his loan is doing more than just raising his reputation this season.
Before permanently joining Rangers, Ryan Kent achieved success in the Scottish Premiership thanks to a loan at Bristol City. Although Gordon hasn’t been able to duplicate that at Carrow Road, these periods have provided crucial experience that has aided Liverpool’s youthful prospects in their move to senior football.
At this point in his development, championship football of any kind will be helpful, but Gordon should consider moving to a lower division where he can start more frequently and have a bigger final third differential because Norwich has so many talented players ahead of him.
His first Championship loan isn’t working out as well as other recent Liverpool loans to the second division, and he has only started one of his eight league games. The two-sided winger will eventually find a club, but this move hasn’t gone as planned for everyone, so it’s best to part company.
