Reports from the Scottish Sun in November claimed that Rangers were in a firm position to land Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke on loan in January. However, just when the window is starting, Rangers have already lost the chance to sign him if reports from the Daily Mail are to be believed. The reports add that the forward has already undergone a medical with Crystal Palace and he is close to moving to Selhurst Park.
Someone like Solanke could have made a significant impact for Gerrard, and the forward’s situation at Anfield was a giveaway that he would move on loan in January. The English striker has failed to get into the matchday squads let alone getting an appearance on the pitch this season. Daniel Sturridge’s return to full fitness and the comeback of Divock Origi from Wolfsburg has made the English forward fall down the pecking order at the Merseyside club.
Solanke had found it tough to get regular appearances in the Premier League even when he was with Chelsea. A move to Selhurst Park should give him an excellent chance to impress everyone, and it is believed that Solanke is still keen to make it big with Liverpool.
When the Premier League clubs entered the race for the striker, Rangers were always going to be second favourites to land the English forward. One can understand why Jurgen Klopp is allowing him to go to a Premier League club over a Scottish club as that way Solanke can prove himself in a much tougher league.
Rangers are currently joint top on points on the table, but they depend heavily on Alfredo Morelos to produce the goods on the attacking front. Someone like Solanke would have been a significant game changer for Gerrard as the England u-20 World Cup winner can provide everything as a striker.
Solanke is strong as a target man and can hold up play well. Along with that, he works hard up front and is always keen to make runs from the shoulders of the defenders. The England international would have taken some scoring burden off Morelos and Gerrard might have to look at other strikers in January to bring in as a backup for the Colombian.
Crystal Palace have struggled with options up front as Christian Benteke has missed the bulk of the season due to injury and they depend heavily on Wilfried Zaha in the attacking third. Therefore one can understand why Roy Hodgson was keen on someone like Solanke. For Rangers though, this is definitely a massive loss.
