While Liverpool’s senior squad cruised to a dominant 5-0 win over Stoke City in a friendly on Sunday, it was the club’s U21 side that stole the spotlight just 24 hours earlier. Under new guidance from Rob Page—former Wales national team boss—the young Reds dismantled Celtic U21s in an eye-catching 8-0 victory at the Kirkby Academy.

Among the standout performers was winger Kaide Gordon, who delivered a strong message to both Liverpool’s coaching staff and potential transfer suitors. The 20-year-old, once seen as a rising star at Anfield before enduring a long injury layoff and underwhelming loan spells at Norwich and Portsmouth, was electric in the first half. Gordon found the net, played key roles in two more goals, and even won and converted a penalty—all before halftime.

He wasn’t the only one to make an impression. Owen Beck, fresh from a solid stint at Blackburn Rovers cut short by injury, grabbed a brace, while Keyrol Figueroa and Oakley Cannonier each added goals after the interval. Kieran Morrison, Trent Kone-Doherty, and Luca Stephenson were also heavily involved in the attacking play.

Also of note was the return of right-back Calvin Ramsay, who has barely featured since January 2023 following injury troubles and difficult loan spells. His second-half appearance marked a hopeful step forward in his attempt to reignite his Liverpool career. Rhys Williams and Lewis Koumas were also part of the starting lineup.

However, most of these players are not expected to feature in the senior squad this season, as none of them—apart from Kornel Misciur and Stephenson—were included in the 29-man squad that traveled to Asia for Liverpool’s preseason tour.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s U18 team wrapped up their training camp in Germany with a narrow 1-0 defeat to TSV 1860 Munich. The team was led by assistant coach Anthony Ryan, with the club reportedly close to appointing former Manchester United youth coach Simon Wiles to take over permanently following Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s departure.