Liverpool's Gordon Chase: A £60M Gamble or Genius?

Liverpool’s transfer whisper mill is humming again, and this time it’s Anthony Gordon’s name getting tossed around as a potential Cody Gakpo replacement. Real talk: it feels like we do this dance every summer. The Reds are reportedly eyeing a player who’s just found his stride at Newcastle, a guy who cost the Magpies £45 million barely 18 months ago. Now, the price tag being floated is north of £60 million. That's a serious chunk of change for a player still finding his consistency.

Gordon, to his credit, had a solid 2023-24 campaign for Newcastle. He bagged 11 goals across all competitions and added 10 assists, a significant jump from his previous seasons. Before last year, his career high was 4 goals for Everton in 2021-22. He’s quick, he’s direct, and he draws fouls. He created 1.9 chances per 90 minutes in the Premier League last season, a respectable number for a winger. But Liverpool isn't just looking for respectable. They're looking for elite, especially if they're moving on from Gakpo.

**The Gakpo Conundrum**

Here's the thing: Cody Gakpo isn't exactly a bust. He scored 16 goals in 53 appearances across all competitions in 2023-24, including a crucial equalizer against Manchester United in the FA Cup. He arrived from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023 for around £37 million, having just lit up the Eredivisie with 9 goals and 12 assists in 14 games that season. His versatility has been a blessing and a curse. He’s played left wing, central striker, and even as a false nine. That flexibility is valuable, sure, but it also means he hasn’t truly nailed down a single position in Arne Slot’s new system.

Gakpo's underlying numbers are decent too. He averaged 0.44 non-penalty goals per 90 minutes last season, slightly better than Gordon's 0.36. His passing accuracy, at 82.5%, also edges out Gordon's 78.9%. So, if Liverpool are thinking of moving on Gakpo, who’s still only 25 and under contract until 2028, to bring in Gordon, they better have a very clear vision for how he fits. And that vision better be more than just "he's fast."

**Is Gordon an Upgrade?**

Look, Gordon’s recent form has been impressive. He’s got the aggression and work rate that Liverpool fans love. He completed 2.3 successful dribbles per 90 last season, a trait that could unlock defenses. But he also picked up 11 yellow cards, showing a fiery side that can sometimes boil over. For £60 million, you’re not just buying potential. You’re buying a finished product, or at least a player who can immediately impact the starting XI.

My hot take? Liverpool would be making a mistake paying £60 million for Gordon. He's improved, no doubt, but the jump from being a good player at Newcastle to a difference-maker for a title-challenging Liverpool is bigger than some realize. Plus, Gordon just signed a long-term deal with Newcastle, running until 2029. They have zero incentive to sell unless Liverpool blows them away with an offer that’s frankly inflated for what Gordon brings right now.

If Liverpool are serious about strengthening their attack, they should look elsewhere or find a way to make Gakpo thrive under Slot. Spending a premium on Gordon feels like a knee-jerk reaction rather than a well-thought-out strategic move. My prediction: Liverpool makes an offer, Newcastle stands firm, and the Reds end up looking for a more financially sensible option by mid-August.