Liverpool protege Kaide Gordon has reportedly suffered a fresh setback in his bid to recover from his recent long-term injury problems.
The 18-year-old has been hailed as one of the most promising talents to emerge from the Kirkby academy, but his progress has been hampered by a serious pelvic concern.
On the back of an impressive 2020-21 season for the club's Under-18s - where he scored six goals and set up three more in eight Premier League Under-18 matches - Gordon has only managed 10 appearances for the Under-21s in the past two years.
During the 2021-22 campaign, the 2004-born youngster played just eight games for the youth team, alongside playing four times for the senior side and netting his first Reds goal in an FA Cup win over Shrewsbury Town.
However, from February 2022 onwards, Gordon was in the care of the Liverpool medical team with his long-term pelvic issue, which was apparently related to the teenager's growth.
Just before the international break, Gordon made his long-awaited return to competitive action for the Under-21s, playing 16 minutes off the bench in a 4-1 loss to Middlesbrough.
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Gordon's bid to return to his previous level has taken another blow, though, as the Liverpool Echo reports that the former Derby County youngster is now dealing with a sprained ankle.
Gordon's latest affliction is nowhere near as serious as his devastating pelvic concern, though, and he should only be sidelined for another couple of weeks before coming back into the fold.
Should the 18-year-old return to full fitness quickly, he is expected to be afforded more opportunities to impress Jurgen Klopp in the coming months, especially with Europa League football on offer at Anfield this season.
Gordon's debut for the Reds came in an EFL Cup triumph over Norwich City in September 2021 - when he was just 16 - and he made his Premier League debut in a 3-0 win over Brentford the next January.
By netting against Shrewsbury in the FA Cup, Gordon became the second-youngest male goalscorer in Liverpool history at 17 years, three months and four days, only behind Ben Woodburn, who scored in a 2016 EFL Cup clash with Leeds United at 17 years, one month and 14 days.
As well as Gordon, Liverpool are also dealing with the absences of Trent Alexander-Arnold (hamstring) and Thiago Alcantara (hip), neither of whom are expected to be fit for Sunday's visit of West Ham United.
Ben Knapton
