Newcastle star Anthony Gordon has spoken out about his future and addressed rumours linking him with a move to Liverpool.
Gordon is a boyhood Liverpool fan and Mirror Football understands that the two clubs held talks over the summer, but the deal broke down after Newcastle proposed that Jarell Quansah could move in the opposite direction.
Gordon has since signed a new long-term contract at Newcastle and appeared to address the rumours by making talking gestures with his hands as he celebrated scoring in their 3-3 draw against Liverpool earlier this month.
And when asked about the celebration, the England international admitted his frustrations over constant speculation about him joining Liverpool was behind it. "I loved the game, I didn't need any more motivation for that game," Gordon told Sky Sports News.
"The celebration was just that I'd heard so much talk this year about my future, where I'm going, where I want to go without anyone actually asking me. Just leave me to play football, I just want to be happy, play football.
"I love it here, I've said it plenty of times, I think with the speculation, people assume it is all correct when you've never heard from me once that I am unhappy at this place. I love everyone here.
"I love playing football here. That was all that was." Gordon also admitted the rumours had affected his form this season, but the winger insisted he wants to remain at St James' Park.
"It took me away from enjoying my football this year, and I think that is sort of where the inconsistencies (in performances) comes from, because I've got caught in that a little bit," he added. "But I just want to play football, especially for Newcastle."
Gordon is not the only Newcastle star who has been the subject of intense speculation about their future, with Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes also heavily linked with big money moves away. "I'm only 23," he continued. "All I've heard, like, is 'When he is leaving?'
"Who said I was ever going to leave? I'm very, very happy here, I love this place, I love playing football here and I think probably Bruno and Alex think the same thing. But we're all young, we're all human beings, so if people are talking about that, it sort of questions our character. It's hard."