OPINION
It’s the news that no Rangers fan would have wanted to hear – Liverpool are not sending Ryan Kent out on loan this summer.
According to Mirror journalist David Anderson via his personal Twitter account on Thursday morning, Jurgen Klopp has blocked another loan move away from Anfield for the 22-year-old attacker, who dazzled in the Scottish Premiership for Steven Gerrard last season.
It is understood that Rangers and Championship side Leeds were interested in signing Kent on loan, but the winger is now set to play against Tranmere in a pre-season friendly on Thursday night, before featuring against Bradford at the weekend and jetting out on the Merseyside club’s pre-season tour of the USA.
Jurgen Klopp has disappointed Steven Gerrard and Marcelo Bielsa by blocking another loan move for winger Ryan Kent. Kent will feature against Tranmere tonight and Bradford on Sunday as well as going on the club’s US tour. #lfc
— David Anderson (@MirrorAnderson) July 11, 2019
It is a major blow for Rangers to miss out on re-signing Kent.
The former England Under-20 international scored six goals and supplied nine assists in 43 appearances across all competitions for the Light Blues last season as they finished second in the Scottish Premiership and reached the Europa League group stages.
Kent was named the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year for his delightful form while on loan at Ibrox and understandably, Gerrard made it clear that he would like to re-sign the tricky winger this summer.
However, as quoted by the Scotsman earlier this week, the Gers boss admitted that a second temporary swoop for Kent would only be viable if Liverpool were ready to allow it.
“The only way we’ll have a conversation is if Liverpool phone and say he’s available to go on loan,” Gerrard said.
“I would be repeating myself if I said that we want him. I’ve made that pretty clear. But that situation is in Liverpool’s hands at the moment.”
It would not appear that Liverpool have ended any chance of Kent returning to Rangers, unless the Glasgow giants can somehow strike a permanent deal, which would seem very unlikely based on his reported £12million price-tag [Liverpool Echo].
Rangers fans will surely be in meltdown over the news that their beloved winger will not head back to Ibrox before the transfer window slams shut next month.
He was a key part of Gerrard’s first team and was superb in the Gers’ win against Celtic at Ibrox December.
It was one of the best performances by a Rangers player since the club returned to the Scottish top-flight, so to not have him back next season will be crushing news for many supporters.
