Is Anthony Gordon the Right Fit at Anfield?

As Liverpool prepares for the resumption of a summer of change in attack, the emotional weight of Diogo Jota’s tragic passing hangs heavy over the club’s future planning. With Darwin Núñez and Luis Díaz both likely to be sold still, the need for two new forwards is clear. Florian Wirtz has already been brought in to cover the left and central areas, but one name continues to linger — Anthony Gordon. A local lad and lifelong Liverpool fan, his name alone stirs interest and seems to cause a stir in the Reds fanbase. But sentiment rarely drives smart recruitment, and this regime will always look upon success more fondly than sentiment.

Despite links and rumours that refuse to go away, the idea of Liverpool spending £75 million or more on Newcastle’s number 10 feels increasingly out of step with the club’s actual strategy under Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes. The fact that he is a lifelong Liverpool fan is what is fueling speculation, as well as his apparent dream to join his hometown team. The fact that Harvey Elliott is likely to be sold this month shows that allegiance is fruitless without the tools to succeed.

The Wirtz Solution and a Shift in Style

The signing of Florian Wirtz was not just opportunistic — it was strategic. With Wirtz and Cody Gakpo both comfortable operating from the left and capable of linking play centrally, it’s difficult to see where Gordon fits stylistically or positionally. Liverpool is not short of left-sided attackers who like to drift infield and combine. Wirtz, in particular, is expected to be a key piece in Arne Slot’s system — a technician who can receive in tight spaces, combine with midfielders, and create chances for a central striker. I don’t see him displacing his new teammate, Dominik Szoboszlai, with the power and running of the Hungarian skipper more likely to complement the German star.

Slot’s system is expected to demand ball retention, close control, and intricate patterns play — a stark contrast to the counter-attacking setups that have brought out the best in Gordon at both Everton and Newcastle. While effective in transition, the 24-year-old has not yet shown he can consistently impact games against deep defensive blocks, where Liverpool typically spend most of their attacking time.

The parallels with Jack Grealish’s adaptation at Manchester City are relevant. Flashy and explosive on the break at Villa, but required time and tactical maturity to learn how to break down compact systems under Guardiola. Whether Gordon can or even wants to make that kind of stylistic leap is unclear, with Arne Slot unlikely to want a rough diamond when the ready-made bodies are already in house.

Numbers and Narrative Don’t Align

The numbers also present a mixed case. Nine goals and seven assists in 43 appearances is a solid return, but it’s not exceptional, particularly for a wide attacker in a top-six club. And when considering the financial outlay, a rumoured £75 million, it becomes harder to justify the move from a value perspective.

Liverpool’s recruitment under Edwards has always leaned toward efficiency and will not change for a backup to the current England team. Even the £125 million move for Alexander Isak can be justified by the lack of elite centre-forward options in world football and his stylistic fit for Slot’s blueprint. Gordon, on the other hand, does not fill a unique role and is limited to one role and a single style. He would be fighting for minutes in an already congested left-sided pool, offering a similar but arguably less refined skillset than Gakpo and simply isn’t comparable to the world-class Wirtz.

With Michael Edwards known for his layered negotiations, it’s plausible that the links to Gordon are partly exploratory — due diligence rather than active pursuit. Richard Hughes may be holding casual conversations with multiple agents, but unless Newcastle dramatically lowers their valuation, it’s difficult to see Liverpool pulling the trigger for someone that would be little more than an impactful squad member.

A Role That Needs Filling — But Not by Gordon

What Liverpool do need is a second attacking signing who can both supplement and rotate with Isak. That player must be flexible across the front line, offer pressing intensity, and be ready to contribute immediately. Gordon, for all his qualities, does not profile as a central striker, nor as someone who thrives with the ball at his feet for long spells.

In the cold reality of elite football planning, being a local fan favourite is not enough to attain or retain the biggest trophies. Gordon may yet blossom elsewhere — but unless the market or valuation shifts significantly, it’s hard to argue he’s the right fit for what this Liverpool rebuild demands.