Very few footballers have a simple and steady rise to the top. Even for Lionel Messi, the greatest footballer of all time, there were fears that he would be too small to make it in the professional game.

England's record goalscorer Harry Kane was let go by Arsenal for being 'too chubby' as a youngster, while Michael Olise was mocked in the Manchester City academy for being too weak. Both men are now among the best players in the world and have been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

Adding to that long list, there is another current elite footballer who struggled in the early stages of his career.

Anthony Gordon Didn't Make it at Liverpool Due to His Size

The man in question is Anthony Gordon. Now 25, the pacey winger has proven himself to be a top-level star for both Barcelona and England in recent times. With two goals and five assists in his first 11 games for his new club, and four goals in his last four outings for the Three Lions, he has become undroppable on the left flank.

Things haven't always been so easy for Gordon. Although he made a name for himself at Everton, the forward actually started out his career at Liverpool. However, he was picked up by the Toffees when their rivals released him as an 11-year-old.

As reported by The Athletic, the Reds decided to let him go as they felt he was ‘too slight.’ Despite Gordon going on to prove that he's definitely not too small to make it at the highest level, 'multiple sources' within Anfield claimed to have no regret over the decision, as they felt he would not have progressed in the same way at Liverpool as he did at Everton.

It couldn't have been easy for Gordon, though, who grew up a fan of the club. He spoke about the experience on A League of Their Own (via The Mirror): "So I was at Liverpool and they released me when I was 11 and then Everton signed me."

Even after being let go, his family of devoted Liverpool fans didn't exactly swap allegiances. He jokingly recalled:

"As long as we [Everton] lost, they were alright. If I scored they were like 'great, but we want you to lose'. My family are like really, really bitter Liverpool fans."

Gordon Now England and Barcelona's Starting Left Winger

Whatever way you look at it, Liverpool have certainly missed out on a huge talent. Indeed, Gordon is now England's first-choice left winger, proving he's the best in the country in his position, as he started five times in that role this summer at the 2026 World Cup, getting four assists and netting against Argentina in the semi-finals.

International captain Kane has formed a good relationship on the pitch with Gordon, and insisted that the Barca star has shown "that he belongs at the highest level, for Barcelona and England." Kane added earlier in October:

"His performances in the last couple of games have been some of his best that he has played in an England shirt. I think he is just relishing putting the shirt on and being one of the main men in the team. He is an important player for us and he showed that during the World Cup."

After impressing at Everton, Gordon made a £45m move to Newcastle United in 2023. Although there were question marks over the deal, he proved his doubters wrong yet again as he established himself as a star in the Premier League.

The winger would score 39 goals and pick up 28 assists in 152 games for the Magpies before Barcelona came knocking. Once again, some doubted the transfer fee, this time £69m, but the Englishman looks to have been worth every penny so far.

Amid his exciting form, Gordon recently told the press: “I pride myself on having a high football IQ and making the right decisions.

"So I think going to a team like Barcelona has really suited me and it’s maybe highlighted strengths that people didn’t know I had – or maybe overlooked because I’m fast and I press. That’s kind of the only things people ever speak about. I’ve got a lot more to my game.”