GORDON GUIDES REDS TO A ROMP
TAKUMI MINAMINO fired a fantastic double as Liverpool saw off Norwich to reach the Carabao Cup fourth round — but it was the debut of 16-year-old Kaide Gordon that set tongues wagging at Carrow Road. Gordon became the fifth youngest player in Liverpool’s history — at 16 years and 351 days — and displayed enough moments of class on his debut to suggest Jurgen Klopp is on to a winner with this English teenager.
The £1million signing from Derby played the first half on the right wing in front of Liverpool’s fans, who cheered his every move. For Norwich, this was just an extension to their sorry start to the season. It took Liverpool less than four minutes to breach their back line and how easy it was. Kostas Tsimikas took a corner which led to a Divock Origi knockdown. The ball fell to Minamino, who scored through the legs of Angus Gunn. The home side grew into the game and, as half-time neared, Norwich were presented with a golden chance to make it 1-1.
When a fierce shot by Christos Tzolis was palmed out by Caoimhin Kelleher, Dimitris Giannoulis picked up possession and put his body between Liverpool’s defenders and the ball, anticipating the challenge. Giannoulis dropped to the ground to win a penalty. Tzolis took it but shot straight down the middle and Kelleher saved with his legs. Norwich ought to have levelled at the start of the second half but Pierre Lees-Melou blazed his shot over from 12 yards.
In the 50th minute, it was 2-0. Tsimikas crossed, Origi headed and, just like Liverpool’s first, it was easy. A lovely through ball by Gordon then found Origi, who narrowly missed the far corner for a third. But Liverpool did get their third in the end, with Minamino sneaking the ball under Gunn on what was a close to perfect night for Klopp.