Opinion: What does Anthony Gordon’s possible arrival mean for Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz?

Liverpool are looking to strengthen their offensive line going into the next season as they look at Newcastle United’s wavy winger Anthony Gordon to bolster their attacking options, per TEAMtalk.

The Reds are ready to offer a mammoth £50 million sum alongside goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher in a cash-plus-player deal to land the England international this summer. The Toons have been in the market for a new goalkeeper, and giving them Kelleher could help strengthen their bid to push Newcastle into a possible sale. Newcastle are holding out to sign Jarell Quansah in a cash-plus-player deal instead, which seems like a fair negotiation given how good the young centre-back has been for the Reds in the recently concluded season.

The Premier League giants love to work with established Premier League wingers. The club has set a precedent with the likes of Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota, who have flourished at Anfield, demonstrating a keen eye at the club for nurturing and maximizing the potential of such PL-proven players.

Adding Anthony Gordon to Arne Slot‘s team seems like an attack-bolstering signing; however, would he be surplus to needs at Liverpool given the fact that the club already has Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota in the position?

Anthony Gordon: A brief

The 23-year-old knows Merseyside by the back of his palm, as he has grown up just along the banks of Goodison Park. He used to be a Liverpool academy player before the club released him at eleven. Gordon went on to sign for Everton, progressing along the academy ranks of the Toffees over the years. A move to Liverpool will not only be integral to his young football career, but it will also serve as a poignant reminder of what he has been through. From all the disappointments to potential triumph, and redeeming it all by returning to the city where his footballing dreams began.

Gordon, when he debuted for Everton, had shown the capability to operate on either wing. However, with time, he slotted on the left flank, where he gained plaudits, which earned him a move to Newcastle United and a cap to represent England’s men’s team.

He is one of the modern wingers who like to operate on the front foot, as they always look to get an upper hand over their opponents. Anthony likes to dribble and loves to get into a 1v1 situation, while he has shown intelligence to operate in a creative outlet role as well. The 23-year-old possesses good technical understanding and ability on not only his offensive side of the game but also intelligence on the defensive side. He knows when to press and when to help his teammates. 

Arne Slot would love to have his low centre-of-gravity ability on the left flank going into next season. 

Antony Gordon: A comparison to what Liverpool have

The Reds have Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota in the left-wing position, and adding Gordon would mean a combination of young, versatile, capable talent who are always looking to make a mark for themselves. But all three are different from one another. 

The Everton Academy graduate is more of a creative outlet than Luis Diaz. The former is always looking to play for his teammates and looking for opportunities to have an upper hand in the game. His elite technical intelligence helps him orchestrate plays and create chances consistently. Moreover, Gordon is more pressing about his off-the-ball work rate than Diaz, to a certain extent. 

Gordon has scored 11 goals in the recently concluded campaign in the Premier League, as compared to Luis Diaz’s eight, per fbref. The former has recorded ten assists in the English top tier, while the Colombian has bisected Gordon’s output with only five assists last season. Moreover, the Englishman leads in the big chances and creates a column as well with a 16-to-5 tally. And to end with, Gordon has 11 goal contributions against the Big Six as compared to Luis Diaz’s four. 

Jota, as compared to Gordon, is less of a creative box and more of a clinical presence. He can score goals from the most acute of angles and operate in more of an inside-winger role. The Portuguese recorded ten goals and three assists in the Premier League last season. Jota can play in close proximity to the striker and capitalize on clinical opportunities in the tightest of spaces against the most difficult blocks; this is something Gordon has yet to add to his arsenal. 

Liverpool can acquire a top winger if they can conclude a deal to sign the Everton academy graduate. 

More Liverpool News!

• Liverpool icon praises transfer strategy, citing past panic buy
• Feyenoord star credits Liverpool’s new boss for career transformation
• Liverpool ambassador issues urgent warning on star players’ future

The numbers show why Liverpool want to provide Anthony Gordon with Arne Slot going into next season. Would you have the Newcastle winger at Anfield if you were to lose Quansah?