Reports have emerged that Bristol City are interested in signing Liverpool fullback, Ryan Kent on loan for the remainder of the season. The 21-year-old has registered only six appearances for Freiburg and has been recalled to Anfield.
This is a hindrance to the youngster’s development and Liverpool management are looking to relocate him to another side. Kent is a product of the Liverpool academy and worked his way up over the years to the U21 team. After an impressive display for the reserves, he was called up to make the senior debut for the club in the pre-season tour of the 2015-16 season. He made his competitive debut in January of 2016 against Exeter.
Kent served the previous season on loan too at Barnsley and registered 3 goals and 3 assists in 47 appearances for the clubs. He also signed a 5-year contract with Liverpool in the summer before moving to Germany.
Although Jurgen Klopp is a manager who promotes young talent, it was clear that Kent would have a hard time breaking into the first team this season.
The Oldham-born midfielder has served England in the U19 and U20 sides with 8 appearances and 3 goals under his belt. But his loan spell has been a fruitless endeavour for both the player and the clubs and a move to a Championship side might be a good move.
Klopp had initially intended for Kent to stay in his squad for this season, but the player wanted a move away to Germany to test himself rather than play for the U23 Liverpool team.
Bristol City’s title challenge took a huge blow after the side’s 5-0 loss to Aston Villa in their opening game of the year. They dropped to the 4th spot of the EFL Championship, two points behind Derby County from the automatic qualification spot.
They also bowed out of the League Cup after a 2-1 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad last night. Lee Johnson has fallen under great scrutiny after the lacklustre showing at Villa Park but is eager to bounce back to winning ways. However, a guaranteed promotion is hard to chase when you do not have much depth from the benches.
Kent has to ability to appear in both wings and was in heavy demand in the summer after his previous season display. He might be the perfect fit in the attacking jigsaw for Johnson for the second half of the season alongside the likes of Marlon Pack and Jamie Paterson.
