Anthony Gordon: Attitude Matters More Than Talent, Social Media Is Making Things Worse The English forward, who became the summer's most expensive signing, reflects on his mental transformation since his loan spell at Preston, his disdain for social media, and his philosophy that football is about intelligence and fighting spirit.

Liverpool's industrial landscape is dark, damp, and decaying, yet it has a unique character. Streets can look rough.

"It's a tough city, so you have to know how to fight. That's just how it is," says Anthony Gordon, the summer's most expensive signing at €80 million. Gordon knows what he's talking about: he was involved in several altercations before finding fame.

That's Liverpool for you. Football, boxing, and music are the three things that matter most. Of course, there's The Beatles—Gordon only remembers "Yellow Submarine"—but he eventually traded the boxing ring for the football pitch, moving from his beloved Liverpool to Everton.

At age 11, he was rejected by Liverpool and developed his skills in Everton's academy. He made a name for himself after joining Newcastle United. Now he's learning Spanish and Catalan as well.

"I knew a bit about Catalan history before, but after coming here, I wanted to learn more," he says.

During the interview, though, he prefers to speak English.

"I understand it and can speak it, but I'm quite shy."

Q: But you don't seem that way on the pitch.

A: Actually, I'm not like that on the pitch. The impression people have of me is always different from who I really am. They often confuse me as a person with me as a footballer. When I step onto the pitch, I become a different person.

But I have to be the best version of myself. I'm a very strong and aggressive person, and I want to win. Off the pitch, I'm very calm and don't talk much.

Q: Does that on-pitch personality set you apart?

A: Absolutely. At this level, apart from players like Lamine Yamal and Pedri, everyone's talent is basically the same. Everyone is on the same level fundamentally. What really makes the difference is attitude.

I've played with some very talented players, but they never reached their full potential because their mentality wasn't strong enough. For me, a strong attitude matters far more than talent. Talent is too inconsistent.

Q: When did you realize this?

A: Around age 19. I had a lot of talent then, but my mentality wasn't strong or stable enough. I was loaned out from Everton to Preston and barely got any chances.

After that loan spell, I told myself: "I can't sink this low again. I need to play in the Premier League. I can't go back to the Championship."

When I returned for preseason, I started reading every day, watching videos...

Q: What kind of books?

A: "Winning" and "Relentless" by Tim Grover. Since then, I've focused heavily on self-improvement and gradually understood many things.

Q: Do you read fiction?

A: I only read self-help books. I read to stimulate my mind, to learn life lessons, and to understand things I didn't know before. As for fiction, I prefer watching films.

Q: Have you ever thought about starting a book club in the dressing room?

A: I'd like to, but I've never tried. They're too young for that sort of thing.

I know not many footballers like reading, but I feel like an old soul in a young body, if you know what I mean. I feel like I'm from another era.

Q: Explain that.

A: I'm from a different time. I feel like my personality is more from the '90s. Everyone is obsessed with social media now. Everything has become so materialistic, and there's barely any romance left.

I'm not like that. I prefer the past.

Q: That might not be about the era. I know plenty of people born in the '90s or even the '80s who are just as obsessed with Instagram likes.

A: Since social media came around, about 2010, I feel like the world got worse. People started caring about things that don't matter.

The only things that really matter are your family and the people around you.

Q: Can't you just sit on the sofa and scroll through your phone one afternoon?

A: I can, and I do it more than I should. But I don't like it. Every time I finish scrolling, I feel guilty and unhappier than before.

Q: How has social media changed footballers' lives?

A: Footballers now care too much about what other people think. A player who scores or assists gets praised a lot, even if he played poorly the rest of the game.

I'd rather play well and not score. For me, that's real football. I'd rather make the right decision for the team than play poorly and score.

Q: So you have to think about the right option first, rather than just shooting?

A: That's how I play. Because I press aggressively, people notice it easily. But I think once they look at me more closely, they'll find that my true level might surprise many people.

This happened at Newcastle United. Eddie Howe signed me from Everton specifically for my running and pressing. But when I got there, people thought, "Oh, you're a really good player."

I believe my football intelligence as a player is the most underrated aspect of my game, and that's why I'm suited to play for FC Barcelona.

At this club, if you're not smart enough, you get found out. You have to make the right decisions all the time. Otherwise, you look bad.

Q: What does intelligence mean?

A: Intelligence means making more right decisions than wrong ones.

Maybe I should shoot more or pass less selflessly, but that's not my nature. Making the right decision makes me feel good.

Q: What did Flick say when he called you?

A: He said he wanted me to join the team and believed I fit his tactics and values well.

When you talk to him, you find he has an excellent personality. He's a good person. He's very straightforward, and I like that. I appreciate honesty, even if it sounds blunt.

Plus, they already have the best team, so I wanted to be part of it.

Q: People often talk about Mbappé or Lamine Yamal, but don't you think in Spain people have forgotten about Harry Kane?

A: It's the same everywhere. In England, people only care about the Premier League. In Germany, people talk about Harry Kane because of Bayern Munich.

The reason people here always talk about Lamine Yamal and Mbappé is because they're the two best players. It's natural for people to focus on what's right in front of them.

Q: Does Lamine Yamal surprise you?

A: Very much. But not because of his talent. It's because of his attitude.

I already knew he was good and talented, but I didn't expect his attitude to be this good. Normally, young players with this much talent might relax a bit on defense, but his pressing intensity is as high as Raphinha's and mine.

On top of that, he never misses a gym session.

Q: What about Rodri?

A: He's the same. Even though I've played with him before and known him for a long time, he's still a freak.

Whenever he's on the pitch, if we lose the ball and get countered, he's always there. In attack, with him around, the tempo slows down, which gives the rest of us time and space to push forward and attack.

It's the perfect blend.

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