Anthony Gordon sensationally reveals a former Liverpool icon is his footballing hero… despite the former Everton winger once insisting he “lives and breathes” the Toffees.

Anthony Gordon has revealed that a Liverpool icon was his footballing hero growing up, although the former Everton winger once insisted he “lived and breathed” the Toffees.

The 23-year-old began his footballing journey in Liverpool’s youth academy before joining Everton at the age of 11.

He rose through the ranks at Finch Farm, graduating to the first team before completing a £40 million move to Newcastle in 2023 – a deal which soured relations between him and some Everton fans. Gordon had refused to train with the club before telling the Merseyside side he would not return due to interest from Newcastle.

Despite this, the winger – originally from Liverpool – has gone from strength to strength following his move, recently winning his first senior England cap for Gareth Southgate’s side, while scoring 11 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies this season.

Gordon, speaking on The Overlap, presented by Sky Bet, has now revealed who his football hero is, interestingly telling Gary Neville that he looked up to a former Liverpool star when he was younger.

Gordon spent 11 years at Everton, initially joining Liverpool’s youth academy in 2012.

“Steven Gerrard was my football hero growing up,” he said on The Overlap. “Coming from Liverpool, he was like a God at Liverpool and he was an incredible player.”

The former Liverpool captain is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders at the club and in the Premier League, with Gerrard scoring 186 goals in 710 appearances for the Reds, while guiding them to Champions League glory in 2005.

Gordon, who meanwhile has 10 Premier League goals this season for Newcastle, now has his eye on a place in Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s Euros.

He revealed to Mail Sport in March that he had not yet booked a summer holiday because he wanted to play for England in Germany. Having featured in England’s recent friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, Gordon has an excellent chance of making the squad, especially given his excellent form.

And speaking about what motivates him, the 23-year-old revealed he was inspired by the mindset of fellow Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, hailing the Liverpool striker as “an absolute machine “.

“My confidence comes from my preparation. I don’t know where it comes from, I wouldn’t say anyone around me is like that. I love learning things, and throughout my growing years, I have taken a liking to learning psychology.

“There may be people who are doing the same thing as me, there may be many who just haven’t talked about it.

Merseyside-born Gordon revealed Liverpool icon Steven Gerrard was his hero growing up

Gordon scored seven goals in 78 appearances for the Toffees during his time at Goodison

He angered some Everton supporters when he refused to train despite moving to Newcastle.

“Some footballers like to think less, show up, play and trust their instincts. I love the idea of ​​putting myself in that place before I’m already there.

“I saw Mo Salah talking about it, that’s when I got even more interested, because I see him as an absolute machine and a winner. People like it, you’re not going to go too far wrong by following this that they do.

Gordon, meanwhile, helped Everton avoid relegation under Frank Lampard in 2022, when their epic 3-2 triumph over Crystal Palace ultimately helped the Toffees avoid the drop, returning seven goals in 78 senior appearances for the club before leaving.

Upon leaving the club, Everton released a three-line statement announcing Gordon’s departure, which Gordon later admitted “hurt him”.

The winger has since excelled in Eddie Howe’s side, scoring 12 goals in 59 appearances.

He also revealed that Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah’s mindset had also inspired him.

Gordon is now eyeing a place in Gareth Southgate’s Euro squad after making his England debut.

‘My whole life has been spent at Everton,’ he said Aerial sports. “I grew up at Everton, it was an important place in my heart and in my life, which I will never forget. And from afar, I will always support them, always wishing them the best.

“Once things like that happen (fans turn on the team), it’s hard to get over it, especially because I’m from there. I grew up on those streets.

Regarding Everton’s statement, he added: “It hurt my feelings a bit, I’m not going to lie. I thought that as a club with thousands of people working for them and with the effort I put into them provided last year, I played a major role in keeping the club going, winning Player and Coach Player of the Year.

“So for them to not show me any credit or thank me for anything, that hurt my feelings a little bit.”

Anthony Gordon spoke on The Overtour, presented by Sky Bet.