Liverpool could return to the table with a blockbuster move for a key Newcastle star
Last summer, Liverpool were presented with a golden opportunity to sign the Everton academy graduate from the Magpies due to the St. James’ Park’s club’s PSR issues.
The saga dragged on throughout Euro 2024 as numerous rumours circulated regarding a move for Gordon which could have potentially seen either or both of Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez move to Newcastle along with a large sum of cash to facilitate the transfer.
Newcastle were reluctant at the time to sell one of their prized assets on the back of superb first full season with the club - and after the sales of Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton were able to squash fears of a PSR breach and block any offers from Liverpool.
Gordon subsequently signed a long-term contract extension with Newcastle in October to put to bed speculation surround his future. He said at the time: "I just think the club's in a great place. Since the takeover it's just been up and up. Me and the gaffer are a perfect match in terms of style of play. I love it here.
"I'm very happy here, I like living here, the team is very suited to me - and I'm here to win a trophy. The short story is we need to win a trophy. Winning a trophy here would be unbelievable because the fans have waited so long. To be part of that team who finally does it is a massive goal of mine."
Gordon spoke those words into existence and helped guide the club to Carabao Cup glory with crucial contributions against Arsenal in the semi-final. Though on an individual note, he’s not quite hit the heights of last season, particularly since his red card in the FA Cup against Brighton, which ruled him out of the final and saw Harvey Barnes usurp him in the pecking order.
Why Liverpool are still interested in Anthony Gordon
Anthony Gordon is one of the brightest young wingers in the Premier League. He’s blessed with incredible speed, tremendous work ethic, great crossing ability, terrific dribbling skills and has been consistently adding more goals and assists to his game since moving to St James’ Park.
Last season, he scored 11 times and contributed 10 assists in the league, while proving he could play as both a left winger and a makeshift centre forward when Alexander Isak was injured.
He won the first of 10 caps for England in this time and his underlying stats were not just amongst the best in the Premier League but also some of the best in Europe. For example, when it came to fouls drawn that led to a goal - Gordon had five - the most in Europe’s top five league. While in other areas such as goal creating actions, he had 29, again the most in the top five leagues ahead of names like Cole Palmer and Rafael Leao, via Fbref.
Simply put, when at his best, Gordon is a force to be reckoned with, and though his overall showing of six goals and five assists in the league is almost half of last season’s tally in terms of goal contributions, there’s still a feeling that there’s another level Gordon can go to whether that’s with an ambitious and rising Newcastle or with the reining champions of English football.
Football Insider say Gordon has a strong affiliation to Liverpool, having idolised both Mohamed Salah and Steven Gerrard as a child, and claim that while Newcastle are reluctant to sell Gordon, they would listen to offers in the region of £100m for the player that they signed for £40m two and half years ago.
Could Newcastle United benefit from the situation?
Liverpool have shown a willingness to exchange players to get targets over the line during discussion with Newcastle last summer, and it’s thought that the same could happen again in the pursuit of Anthony Gordon.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson suggested to Football Insider that one player Newcastle could look to target could be 28-year-old Colombian left winger Luis Diaz.
He said: “Luis Diaz is a player who has a good effect playing out wide.He scores goals, he can play as a nine if needed. If he does become available, Newcastle will be one of the sides that look at him. Although, again, we spoke many times, they’re looking for the right side, aren’t they, Newcastle? They want a right-sided player.”
Diaz has scored 13 goals and contributed seven assists for Liverpool this season, playing as both a left winger and occasionally a centre forward on occasion. He’s a league winner, an FA Cup winner, a League Cup winner and a former Champions League finalist that’s proven in Europe’s elite competition both at FC Porto and at Anfield.
He’s rated highly by Arne Slot, but reportedly according to Football Insider could be sold if their valuation of around £50m is reached.
Diaz is likely to be a player of interest to Newcastle, who could thrive both as a winger and on occasion fill the role of centre forward when Alexander Isak needs to be rotated*.* Therefore, Liverpool could use Diaz as a makeweight in a potential Gordon deal, in a cash-plus player deal, which is likely to divide opinion with both fan groups.
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