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Kaide Gordon, a promising talent from Liverpool, is experiencing his first pre-season under new manager Arne Slot.
At just 19 years old, Gordon made the switch from Derby to Liverpool in the summer of 2021, making his first team debut shortly after. He scored against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup, becoming Liverpool’s second youngest goalscorer and the youngest player to score in the FA Cup.
Unfortunately, his progress was halted by a pelvic injury which kept him out of action for over a year. Since returning, he has found playing time limited, featuring just once in each of the Premier League, FA Cup, and Europa League during Jurgen Klopp’s last season as manager.
“It’s been good, a different experience with a new coach,” Gordon shared with the official Liverpool website. “It’s nice to spend time with the lads, and I’m enjoying it so far.”
“This is my first pre-season in two years. Being out for so long, it’s just nice to be back and find my rhythm again, and I’m enjoying it more than I realized.”
“You don’t really appreciate how much you miss it until you’re away from it. It’s just good to be back involved.”
The challenging period of injuries has only fueled his determination to break into Slot’s plans.
“It’s been a tough time with all the ups and downs. You think you’re ready to return but then get told it will take longer,” he reflected.
“This has definitely been the hardest phase of my career, but nearing the end of that struggle, you begin to feel hopeful. Now that I’m back, it’s about staying fit and involved.”
“I feel stronger from going through it all. Watching the team train while I was sidelined was tough, but now that I’m back, I realize even more how much I missed it.”
“Things are different compared to the previous manager, but I’m enjoying the change, and I look forward to how the season unfolds.”
“I’ve been speaking a lot with John [Heitinga], who is helping me improve my finishing and positioning. It’s certainly a shift, but I’m enjoying it.”
