PRAISE THE GORD

Superkid Kaide finishes in style of Fowler and Owen

TEENAGE sensation Kaide Gordon served compelling notice of his talent as he became the youngest FA Cup goalscorer in Liverpool history.

The 17-year-old attacker has long been considered special by Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff – and in an entertaining romp against Shrewsbury, fans saw a glimpse of what all the excitement is about.

His goal was a cruel blow to the League One visitors, who got a sniff of another romantic chapter in this historic competition when they took a shock first-half lead against the lethargic home side.

Yet Gordon (hugged by Klopp, above) was in no mood to have the limelight stolen and he replied with a fine touch and finish to produce more evidence of the technique which has so many people excited around Anfield.

It was enough to ignite the Reds as they clinched a fourth-round home clash with

Cardiff. The coach’s reaction to the teenager’s goal and his team’s response to going a goal down, was pure heavy-metal Klopp.

He purred about Gordon’s finishing, but pointed out that there were “so many nice little stories” around the young side he put out, after “doing a head count” in the last few days.

Klopp fielded eight players aged 21 years or younger and with 23-year-old Caoimhin Kelleher in goal, it had the look of a youth team. But he was still able to field Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Ibrahima Konate to lead the kids.

They needed it, too, because the Shrews threatened to make matters worse for Liverpool after a terrible week when their training ground was closed down.

Centre-back Ethan Ebanks-Landell sprayed a

long ball to the left, Nathanael Ogbeta crossed brilliantly and the lively Daniel Udoh finished in style for the opening goal. Liverpool looked rattled, but that moment of magic from Gordon settled things. 18-year-old Conor Bradley crossed from the right and he took an exquisite touch, a turn and finish with all the calm of a Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen.

It was the more experienced Fabinho though, who gave the Reds a lead before half-time when he converted from the spot after Ebanks-Landell handled. From there, it was one way with substitute Roberto Firmino adding a third with an audacious backheel.

Then Fabinho bundled in during stoppage time, after his header from a Kostas Tsimikas cross was brilliantly saved by excellent Shrews keeper Marko Marosi.

The afternoon, however, belonged to Gordon – who wrote a small slice of Anfield history and suggested a huge future beckons.