Most people are unaware that Liverpool formerly had this important Premier League star among their academy players.

Liverpool has developed a strong team under Jurgen Klopp that has enjoyed illustrious success for a number of years. The German manager’s astute work in the transfer market gave him the right instruments to build a dynasty.

The results of his labor have beyond anything the Reds could have hoped for, with every type of trophy won since his appointment in 2015, with the exception of the Europa League, which Liverpool will undoubtedly target this season.

While the likes of Sadio Mane, Gini Wijnaldum, Andrew Robertson, and Mohamed Salah are just a few of the shrewd moves that have accelerated a rise to the top of the European game, the club’s academy—which is by no means the most successful in England—has also played a role.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who rose through the academy and is now admirably serving as the club’s vice-captain, is undoubtedly one of the most devastating creative jewels in the game and has been crucial in the historic exploits.

A rising star in recent years, Curtis Jones recently made his 100th appearance for the team after contributing to 11 goals and assists each.

However, most people are unaware that a certain Premier League icon by the name of Anthony Gordon formerly spent his formative years on the red half of Merseyside. The Anfield side has not really lost too many star players, despite this.

Anthony Gordon was a Liverpool player, right?

Gordon, a former Liverpool youth player, has become well-known in the Premier League over the past several years. Before leaving Everton earlier this year, he made 78 appearances while playing for them, scoring seven goals and dishing out eight assists.

When Gordon was only 11 years old, the Reds discharged him from their young levels. Gordon was then given the opportunity to enroll at Everton’s Finch Farm academy, where he developed his early skill as a budding blue.

Gordon expressed his feelings on the pain of being fired from Liverpool on the Everton club website, saying: “It was another chance for me to improve. But it was difficult. My confidence suffered, and it had a mental impact. I had to get back up and move again.

“I never looked back once I got to Everton.”

The 22-year-old is an electrifying player with blistering pace, and even though his cutting edge still needs work, he undoubtedly possesses the qualities necessary for success at an ambitious team like Liverpool, which is perhaps why high-flying Newcastle United chose to make a move for him.

What is Anthony Gordon currently valued at?

Gordon, whose longtime club Everton was struggling, thought that the prospect to join a rapidly improving team like Newcastle was too alluring to pass up. As a result, he forced his way out of Everton in January 2023 and completed a £45 million transfer to Tyneside.

The England U21 international has been lauded for his “fearless attitude” by Premier League legend Alan Shearer. The player has six goals in 16 appearances and was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 U21 Euros this summer as England won gold.

And because he now possesses a great combination of vigor and athleticism, he has established himself as a regular starter for the Magpies this season, starting all five games in the English top division and, of course, scoring against Liverpool.

What makes Anthony Gordon so valuable?

The wily winger’s abilities were obvious, even if the confidence wasn’t quite there at first. Gordon flattered to deceive for long of the 2022–23 season after moving to Tyneside, waiting until the season finale against Chelsea to break his duck.

However, his qualities were always present, and now that he is finding his feet, Gordon appears set to nurture his skills and continue to play a crucial role for Howe’s team. The quick-footed prodigy was even dubbed “shambolic” by reporter Ryan Taylor for his subpar impact in the early days of his career with Newcastle.

The £60k per week star now has a preseason and starring role for the Young Lions behind him, and he appears set for a significant role for a Newcastle team that will compete in the Champions League this season—something Klopp’s Liverpool will have to do without after losing out last season.

In Europe’s top five leagues, according to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of attacking midfielders and wingers over the past year for tackles and the top 11% for blocks per 90, demonstrating his tenacity and effort on the field, which were on display when he dispossessed a lethargic Alexander-Arnold and dribbled into the box to score at St. James’ Park earlier this season. In fact, as Statman Dave put it, he preferred to eat “Trent on toast” throughout the game.

As CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs noted about his assist for debutant Sandro Tonali as Newcastle wrecked havoc against Aston Villa in August, the player also showed inventiveness with a “brilliant ball in,” although his whole skill set has not yet reached its pinnacle.

Although Liverpool has forwards like Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, and Darwin Nunez who can play in Gordon’s preferred left channel, there is no reason why the Liverpudlian’s development couldn’t have flourished under Klopp’s tutelage in the presence of so much top-tier talent at Anfield.

Gordon’s quickness and directness would have been ideal as a young player emerging to the fore at Anfield, despite the fact that Liverpool’s attack is really developing quickly and appears to be as fearsome as any in European football.

Even if Klopp and co. decided the former Everton star’s future would have been best served outside of Merseyside, to think they could have cashed in lucratively is a blow for a club that has done its transfer work so diligently over the years. While the majority of Reds supporters hate the former Everton star, it all could have been so different.