sport news Liverpool: Kaide Gordon showed what all the hype is about as 16-year-old shone ...

sport news Liverpool: Kaide Gordon showed what all the hype is about as 16-year-old shone ...
sport news Liverpool: Kaide Gordon showed what all the hype is about as 16-year-old shone ...

What were you doing at 16? Anything special? Because Kaide Gordon is laying the groundwork for a promising future at Liverpool with maturity beyond his years. 

At 16 years and 351 days, he became the Reds' fifth youngest player in Tuesday's Carabao Cup win against Norwich - and this was no late token-gesture substitution either. He started, played 90 minutes and even had a crack at entering the history-books as the club's youngest ever-scorer. 

But that half-volley - where his technique unusually let him down inside the box - won't be the reason the ex-Derby player can't sleep tonight. A giant hug from Jurgen Klopp at full-time, in front of the travelling fans, will be the overriding memory on an unforgettable night. 

Kaide Gordon earned a hug from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after an impressive debut at 16

Kaide Gordon earned a hug from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp after an impressive debut at 16

The £1m teenager played all 90 minutes in the Reds' comfortable 3-0 victory against Norwich

The £1m teenager played all 90 minutes in the Reds' comfortable 3-0 victory against Norwich 

He wasn't the only one too. Klopp started 18-year-old right back Conor Bradley for his first-team debut and Tyler Morton was a composed half-time replacement for Naby Keita in the centre of midfield. 

All three passed their test. While Bradley's only moment of rashness - bringing down Dimitris Giannoulis in the box - could have cost Liverpool dear, he was reprieved by Caoimhin Kelleher's save from the spot.  

Yet it was Gordon who everyone had their immediate eye on. From the off the fleet-footed frontman, cutting in naturally on his stronger left-foot from the right, did not look out of place. In fact, he looked completely unnerved. 

That though won't be of any surprise to Liverpool's coaching staff after Gordon emerged as one of their shining lights from July's pre-season training camp in Austria and France. 

Since then, he has been involved in first-team training - a dramatic rise since joining for £1million back in February, when the Reds rather satisfyingly beat Manchester United to his signature. 

Tyler Morton (L) also made his debut but it was Gordon whose name was in the spotlight

Tyler Morton (L) also made his debut but it was Gordon whose name was in the spotlight 

Conor Bradley was promising too despite giving away a penalty late in the first-half (above)

Conor Bradley was promising too despite giving away a penalty late in the first-half (above) 

He made his first-team debut for Derby last December, a mere two months after

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