'Never in doubt' Anthony Gordon sets Newcastle record straight after Liverpool transfer claims
Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has hit back at claims he's unsettled at St. James' Park and set the record straight.
The England international was the standout performer for Eddie Howe's side last season, and was linked with a move to Liverpool in the recent summer transfer window, with the Magpies scrambling to pass PSR earlier in the window. Despite reports from Merseyside claiming Gordon was keen on a move to Anfield, the 23-year-old would remain at St. James' Park this summer.
It's been a slow start to the season for Gordon, but he notched his second goal of the campaign from the penalty spot against Manchester City, winning the penalty himself and then making sure to kiss the badge as he celebrated. Newcastle are understood to be in the final stages of talks with the winger about signing a new deal, which will see him move alongside the club's top earners.
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"I've not been unsettled," Gordon said post match as reported by the Irish Examiner. "It's quite hard as a player because you can't really come out and say anything, you just have to get on with stuff and focus on what is important.
"People can be guided by journalists which is hard but my future's never been in doubt here since the first day of pre-season. It's been quite hard for me to understand people have that perception at the minute so that celebration was just to clarify.
"I've been planning the celebration for a while but I haven't scored! I've been planning to give them that message for a while so I'm glad it happened today."
Gordon was the focal point for Wor Flags' brilliant pre-match display, unveiling a huge flag in his honour in the East Stand and Gallowgate End before kick-off. The forward admits he was trying to hold back the tears seeing the display and it gave him a huge adrenaline rush.
"I don't think fans will ever know what that kind of thing means," he said. "I've got family watching in the stands, I've got a little son so their memory of that will stay with me forever.
"I'd heard about it the day before but I didn't know how I'd feel. To be honest I was crying on the pitch, it was a real adrenaline rush to be honest."