According to a recent report from Liverpool Echo, Sheyi Ojo seems set to return to Liverpool in the summer. Rangers don’t seem keen to sign him permanently after the player struggled for game time, especially in the second half of the season. The winger reportedly signed a long term contract with Liverpool before moving to Ibrox in the summer of 2019.
Ojo has made 36 appearances in all competitions this campaign. But he has failed to make the matchday squad in the league in the last five out of the six games. He has primarily been sidelined in the second half of the campaign with the signing of Ianis Hagi. Ojo made some decent contribution early on in the Europa League qualifiers, but his stock seems to be going down.
Where has Ojo struggled?
The winger has looked a bit off the pace, and defenders can usually hassle him into making a wrong decision. Ojo also lacks composure to pick the right pass or make the correct decision in the final third. He has scored some crucial goals for Rangers, but most would agree that he hasn’t done enough to earn a permanent switch to Ibrox.
The right call not to sign him?
Hence, we feel that Gerrard is making the right call here by not going after Ojo. Many expected the winger to have a similar impact which Ryan Kent had last season, but the intensity of the Premiership has troubled Ojo on occasions. The winger works hard for his side, but as mentioned, he just seems to lack that final bit in his game.
Ojo is also someone who can be bogged down when things don’t go for him, and his performance seems to go down when he isn’t confident enough.
Moreover, Steven Gerrard hasn’t used wingers in a traditional way this campaign. They often play as a right/left-sided attacking midfielders. Ojo is at his best when he gets to run at defenders in free space. The Englishman is more suited to play in a counter-attacking system. Rangers meanwhile usually come up against teams that sit in the middle and defend deep. Hence, Ojo is far from useful against teams like that as he doesn’t get to carry the ball or take on defenders.
Ojo though will be remembered for his thunderous striker against Feyenoord which gave Rangers a crucial 1-0 win in the group stage of the Europa League. However, it is no surprise that Rangers don’t seem keen to get him permanently for the next season.
