The 16-year-old has earned minutes during the side’s pre-season games in mainland Europe and the United Kingdom.

The youngster joined from EFL Championship side Derby County in February for an initial fee of £1 million and mainly appeared for Liverpool’s U18 team for the second half of last season.

The English forward scored nine times across 15 games for Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s side in the U18 Premier League and racked up three assists to compliment that.

His attacking output was important to the side as he averaged a goal or assist every 99 minutes for them.

His strong showings at that level earned the youth prospect an upgrade before the season ended, getting minutes with the Liverpool U23’s in the Premier League 2.

Gordon’s performances made an impression on the senior coaching staff at Liverpool and he has only improved upon that with his chances in pre-season.

He remained with the squad when they moved from Austria to France and appeared for the side against Bologna.

Assistant manager Pep Lijnders talked about Kaide’s pre-season in the final instalment of his training camp diary series for the Liverpool site.

“Kaide’s first game was his highlight of this tour, the second one was even better because there were fans there. He learned his positioning to press. It’s an intensity he’d never felt. The disallowed goal was his worst moment, I’m sure.”

Lijnders noted that the 16-year-old attacker was speaking to Liverpool’s full-backs, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold at the time of writing (Pep spoke to James Carroll).

The Dutch football coach said that he was getting advice from the full-backs.

Gordon’s attitude and application, of which Pep’s words on him attest to, are something that The Athletic believes stands to him.

They see him as “quick, skilful and a creative force” that is also “fearless” on the pitch.

A big 2021/22 season could be what lies ahead for the seven-figure signing from Derby.

The post Liverpool Prospect Gordon Tipped To Breakthrough This Season appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Wayne Rooney retired from professional football today after an illustrious playing career spanning nearly 20 years.

He played for 4 clubs during his playing career; Everton, Manchester United, D.C. United and Derby County.

He is most fondly remembered by fans of Manchester United and Everton.

Rooney started his career with Everton and made his debut at age 16 against Tottenham Hotspur. He would go on to make 108 league appearances over two spells at the club.

Rooney joined Manchester United from Everton in 2004 and would stay at the club for 13 years, solidifying himself as a club legend in the process.

He is Manchester United’s current top goalscorer having scored 253 goals in all competitions for the club. Arguably, his best goal came against Manchester City in 2011 as he acrobatically directed his shot towards the net.

𝟣. 𝑅𝑜𝑜𝓃𝑒𝓎 𝓋 𝑀𝒶𝓃𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒞𝒾𝓉𝓎 (𝟤𝟢𝟣𝟢/𝟣𝟣)

We’ll never forget the day @WayneRooney did THIS pic.twitter.com/536tdAd1Y4

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) JUNE 3, 2020

Not to mention, he also attained several titles during his time in Manchester including; 5 Premier Leagues, The Champions League and The Europa League among others.

His decision to retire comes as a result of being named the new manager of Derby County, having coached – and played – at the club for a year.

The backroom staff has not seen many changes upon Rooney taking over, but some roles have been altered.

Shay Given, for example, has taken up the position of first-team coach after previously working as a first-team goalkeeping coach. Jason Pearcey has been promoted to first-team goalkeeping coach from academy goalkeeping coach as a replacement.

Justin Walker will also retain his position as first-team development coach.

Liam Rosenior has been appointed assistant manager having been part of Rooney’s coaching team – as well as Given and Walker – when he interim manager.

“My future is in management. I’ve had a great career with a few ups and a few downs, but I wouldn’t change anything. But now, I’d like to write some history in my managerial career.”

Wayne Rooney has already completed his first press conference as Derby County manager in which he was asked several burning questions.

“I know which players I want to keep here, and who I would like to bring in to this football club. I’m trying to build a team that I feel can challenge in this league. I’ve seen the reports on the younger players leaving. The ones who I want to keep, will stay”, Rooney commented.

This may suggest that Irish international Jason Knight is set to remain at the club, having been linked with a move away in recent weeks.

Rooney also released a statement upon being named manager: “When I first arrived back in the United Kingdom I was completely blown away by the potential of Derby County Football Club. The Stadium, Training Ground, the quality of the playing staff and the young players coming through and of course the fan base that has remained loyal and supportive.

“Despite other offers I knew instinctively Derby County was the place for me.

“To be given the opportunity to follow the likes of Brian Clough, Jim Smith, Frank Lampard and Phillip Cocu is such an honour and I can promise everyone involved in the club and all our fans, my staff and I will leave no stone unturned in achieving the potential I have witnessed over the last 12 months of this historic football club.”

His first game as permanent Derby County manager will be against Rotherham at 15:00 tomorrow afternoon.

Rotherham are just one place below Derby in the table (22^nd and 23^rd respectively) so the outcome of the match could have a damning effect on either club’s season.

The post Wayne Rooney retires from playing professional football appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

The FA Cup, since it’s inception really, has been subject to the odd cup upset. There have been plenty of famous FA Cup incidents over the years, including; Wrexham’s victory over Arsenal in 1992, Histon’s win against Leeds in 2008 and Tottenham Hotspur – who were non-league at the time – lifting the cup in 1901.

Last Friday marked the beginning of the FA Cup 3^rd round, otherwise known as the stage where clubs from the top 2 division in English football enter the competition.

There were plenty of “David vs. Goliath” encounters in the 3^rd round. The most notable of the bunch featuring 2019 Champions League finalists Tottenham Hotspur against 8^th tier outfit Histon.

Here are the biggest shocks of the 2020/2021 FA Cup 3^rd round.

CRAWLEY TOWN 3-0 LEEDS UNITED

Arguably the biggest upset of the round came as League Two outfit Crawley Town defeated Premier League side Leeds United.

64 places separated the two teams going into the match. That fact clearly didn’t phase Crawley as they came out with a highly impressive 3-0 win.

Nick Tsaroulla opened the scoring in the 50^th minute with an incredible solo goal. He ran with the ball from well outside the box, swivelling past several defenders in the process before blasting into the bottom corner.

Ashley Nadeson doubled their lead just minutes later with a well-executed finish past the near post. Kiko Casilla could perhaps be criticized for his ‘keeping leading to the goal but take nothing away from Nadeson.

Crawley added insult to injury with a 3^rd and final goal in the 70^th minute. Jordan Tunnicliffe was the scorer this time around.

Crawley are now through to the 4^th round for the first time since 2012. They’ll travel to Championship side Bournemouth in the next round of fixtures.

IT IS OVER!

REDS 3-0 LEEDS UNITED

WE ARE MASSIVE. #TownTeamTogether pic.twitter.com/QzV85twPem

— Crawley Town FC (@crawleytown) JANUARY 10, 2021

CHORLEY 2-0 DERBY COUNTY

National League North side Chorley were the 2^nd lowest ranked team – behind Marine – in the FA Cup 3^rd round. They took on Championship side Derby County with hopes of progressing to the 4^th round.

Their chances were amplified as Derby were forced to field a youth side due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the senior squad. Chorley took the chance presented to them and defeated the young Derby side by 2-0.

The first goal didn’t take long to come, Connor Hall hit the net in the 10^th minute after a scramble in the box. Hall has now scored in his last 3 FA Cup matches.

Mike Calveley secured victory for Chorley in the 84^th minute with a close-range shot.

Chorley have been drawn at home against Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers for the next round.

Living the dream

#FlyMagpiesFly pic.twitter.com/daLuFHckoT

— Chorley FC (@chorleyfc) JANUARY 9, 2021

BLACKPOOL 2-2 WEST BROM (3-2 TO BLACKPOOL ON PENALTIES)

Blackpool are having an unremarkable but solid season in League One, sitting 13^th in the table. West Brom, on the other hand, have been struggling since transitioning from the Championship to the Premier League.

Sam Allardyce was yet to win a game as West Brom manager before the match against Blackpool and that stat would remain unchanged at the full-time whistle.

Blackpool managed a victory on penalties after a hard-fought 120 minutes of football.

Jerry Yates opened the scoring for Blackpool in the 40^th minute as he finished off an inviting pass from Bez Lubula. In truth, Blackpool were good value for their lead having been the better team up until that stage.

Semi Ajayi, as he has done previously in the season, equalized for West Brom with a towering header in the 52^nd minute.

Gary Madine struck cleanly from outside the box in the 66^th minute to regain Blackpool’s lead. The goal came after a fluid counter-attack from Blackpool.

West Brom were given a golden opportunity to equalize in the 80^th minute after a Blackpool player was adjudged to have handled inside the box. Matheus Pereira stepped up to the spot and made no mistake as he made it 2-2.

Full-time ended 2-2 and no further goals followed in extra time. 120 minutes finished with the teams on level terms meaning a penalty shootout was needed to decide a winner.

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

Blackpool missed their first penalty but went on to score their next 3, meanwhile West Brom had 2 of their 4 penalties saved by Chris Maxwell in the Blackpool goal.

Sullay Kaikai stepped up to take Blakcpool’s 5^th penalty knowing if he scored, they would go through to the next round. Cruelly, though, he missed as he hammered his penalty off the post.

West Brom had to score their next penalty otherwise they would be knocked out of the competition. Matheus Pereira stepped up to take another penalty but this time he would be denied by shootout hero Chris Maxwell. His save meant Blackpool progressed to the FA Cup 4^th round.

They have been drawn away to Brighton & Hove Albion for the next round of the competition.

MAXWELL DENIES PEREIRA! THE SEASIDERS ARE THROUGH!!!

BPL:
WBA:

— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) JANUARY 9, 2021

The post This week’s biggest FA Cup upsets appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.

Irish international Jason Knight has attracted the interest of several Premier League clubs, according to reports.

Knight is currently contracted to Championship club Derby whom he joined from Cabinteely in 2017.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been the shining light in Derby’s substandard Championship campaign this season. Despite his team sitting just 22^nd in the table, Knight has produced consistently good displays which have led to the reported interest.

The clubs in question are Burnley, Crystal Palace and West Ham. Burnley are thought to be particularly keen on the teenager.

The transfer window opened at the beginning of the month, meaning clubs have until the 31^st of January to secure a deal, if they so wish.

KNIGHT’S STORY SO FAR

As mentioned previously, Knight joined Derby County’s academy from Cabinteely in 2017. Cabinteely – as well as Derby – should be given plenty of credit for Knight’s development to this point. He joined Cabinteely at the age of 4 and stayed at the club until his move to England at the age of 16.

Knight progressed through the Derby County youth sides before making his first team debut on the 5^th of August 2019 at the age of 18.

Since then, Knight has established himself as a key member of the Derby squad, particularly this season.

Despite his age, the young midfielder has already amassed bags of experience at a high level. Knight has made over 50 Championship appearances for Derby, scoring an impressive 8 goals from midfield in the process.

He has also earned senior international honours last year. He earned his first senior international cap against Finland in October and went on to make two further appearances, including a start against Bulgaria in a scoreless draw.

Knight has represented Ireland through u17 up to senior level.

WOULD A PREMIER LEAGUE MOVE BE GOOD FOR KNIGHT?

Of course, the thought of Premier League football would entice any young player to make the move to the highest level. Expectation is often different from reality, though.

While Knight is clearly a very talented player capable of playing at the top level, there is no guarantee of regular game time when moving to a new club, particularly in the Premier League.

He’s currently one of the first names on the Derby team sheet and there is a guarantee of football at a high level, something which he may not get in the Premier League.

Knight is still only 19, meaning there is more than enough time to establish himself as a Premier League player in the coming years.

In our opinion, he should stay at Derby, at least until the end of the season. That way Knight can continue to play in virtually every possible game until the end of the season and assess his position in the squad come the summer time.

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