He’s only been north of the border a matter of weeks, but it’s no surprise to see that Steven Gerrard has already returned to Liverpool more than once to take personnel, on and off the pitch, to Rangers. Several coaches have followed Gerrard to Ibrox, while two players have also signed: Jon Flanagan on a free transfer, and Ovie Ejaria on loan.
While it’s natural Gerrard will return to the Reds for players he knows the capabilities of, he’ll have to look elsewhere eventually - but it makes sense to do so this first summer, at least, as he shapes the Rangers squad to his liking.
There are several more Liverpool players who could do with a move to the SPL, permanently or otherwise, and here we look at perhaps the three most likely talents.
Dom Solanke
Striker Solanke made a good initial impression after arriving from Chelsea last year, but it was difficult for the young attacker to get any kind of consistency in the first team.
Minutes were hard to come by thanks to the brilliance of Roberto Firmino and Co, but Solanke did eventually net his first Reds goal on the last day of the season. With a new signing expected for the attack this summer, and Rhian Brewster also tipped to be part of the senior squad, game time will be even more at a premium and Solanke needs regular action this term.
A season-long loan to Rangers could be a great stepping stone for him: the possibility of playing regularly, European action, a few familiar faces around him.
Solanke needs to play somewhere in 2018/19 where he can feature perhaps 30 times or more, and show himself to be capable of netting goals on a regular basis. He’s one for the future, and a season on the pitch could see him transformed with increased confidence and self-belief.
Ryan Kent
Ejaria isn’t the only midfield talent who Gerrard should be looking at: Ryan Kent is at a pivotal moment in his career and must make his next loan move count.
He needs a manager who trusts him, who knows what he can bring, and who will play him. Difficult spells in Germany and the Championship mean last term was a forgettable one, and Kent turns 22 this coming season.
A tricky and pacy man who can attack from both sides, Kent is running out of time to prove his quality.
If he doesn’t get it right and make an impact this year, it will mean a drop down the divisions and the need to work his way back up - so a move to Gerrard’s Rangers could be beneficial to all parties.
Connor Randall
The final name would be a permanent option, and one who has already shown he can contribute in Scotland’s top flight.
Connor Randall spent last term on loan at Hearts, taking his time to establish himself but eventually proving an important piece of the team as they sealed a top-half finish.
While Randall played for much of the early part of the season in a defensive midfield role, it was a return to his usual right-back spot which saw Randall rediscover his best form.
An aggressive player, Randall is similar to Flanagan perhaps in terms of being more noted as a defensive-first option rather than an offensive wing-back choice, but his experience in midfield makes him a versatile player to call upon too.
He’s not going to command a fee of any real note, another attraction for Rangers, and certainly won’t be registered for Liverpool’s upcoming league campaign. Another option for Gerrard, and one who is already proven in the SPL.
