Steven Gerrard might have to accept defeat in pursuit of Ryan Kent, the Liverpool loanee who made a significant impact this season at the Ibrox. According to the Scottish Sun, The Reds have set a valuation beyond Rangers’ reach. Gerrard has now turned his attention to Ben Woodburn after the forward impressed in a closed-door outing at Ibrox.
The Welsh international scored a brace for Liverpool U23s in a 4-4 stalemate against the Bears and caught the eyes of the manager who tried to rope him in last summer. The player was sent on loan to Sheffield United instead, but that was cut short in January due to the lack of playing minutes.
The Reds have to handle the 19-year-old more sensibly in the upcoming window and should assess all the options amid interest from the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Blackburn Rovers, Hull City and Brentford. Woodburn is rated highly in Merseyside since becoming club’s youngest-ever goalscorer in his second appearance.
Success In Pre-Season for Liverpool
He also found the winner against Austria from 25 yards out after making his Wales debut as a second-half substitute replacing Tom Lawrence. This made him his country’s second-youngest goalscorer behind Gareth Bale, and the attacker went on to make ten appearances for his country grabbing a regular role despite being only in his teens.
Woodburn is backed to be a success at Liverpool in the long run, and Jurgen Klopp has always spoken highly of the youngster for his adaptability, versatility and composure at such an early stage of his career. He has been tried out down the wide, as a ‘number 10′, and also in a central midfield role during the Reds’ pre-season over the past couple of years. It is time for him now to experience game-time at a senior level to stake a claim in Klopp’s first-team plans.
Gerrard’s Advantage
Ryan Kent, Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson have been thoroughly benefitted by their loan switch to Rangers, Hertha BSC and Derby County respectively. Woodburn has it in him to be a success in Scotland. Gerrard, having nurtured the teenager during his brief tenure as Liverpool U18s boss, should use his contacts and influence to wrap up a deal this time around.
The player, meanwhile, must not take anything for granted and would have to work hard and impress in the training ground to secure a starting role on the left flank ahead of Glenn Middleton, Eros Grezda or Jamie Murphy. But his ability to adjust to multiple positions would give him a massive edge, and the gaffer should look to utilise his versatility if a deal takes place. Having played under Gerrard, we would like to believe that the player would be more inclined towards making his way to Rangers.
