Kent is still loan target for Gerrard
STEVEN GERRARD is prepared to hang tough until the transfer deadline in his efforts to seal a Rangers return for Ryan Kent.
The 22-year-old winger spent last season on loan from Liverpool but returned to his parent club in May and is currently participating in the Champions League winners’ pre-season preparations in the United States.
Kent started as the Reds lost 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund in Notre Dame, Indiana, on Friday night, with manager Jurgen Klopp keen to run the rule over his fringe players ahead of the new campaign.
Gerrard has already taken another Liverpool winger,
Sheyi Ojo, on loan this summer but has made no secret of the fact he would like his former club to let him have Kent for another year.
Having made a point of doing the bulk of his transfer business early to capture eight new players since the end of last season, the Ibrox boss is prepared to wait for Kent.
He said: ‘Am I willing to wait until the last day of the window? I’m willing to wait until the last second to get Ryan back here. He’s an exception because he was outstanding last year.
‘I feel he’s ready to go again, with the confidence he should have from last season.’
Changes to the rules south of the border have seen the English transfer deadline brought forward to August 8, but the Scottish deadline remains fixed at the end of the same month.
‘We’re still talking about a player who belongs to Liverpool,’ added Gerrard. ‘They’ll make the decision on him and we’ll be totally respectful to the club and Jurgen Klopp.
‘Everyone knows I want him back but if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I haven’t spoken to him for a while, so we’ll wait to see if he wants to come back and respect Liverpool’s decision.’
Kent featured for an hour as Liverpool went down to Borussia Dortmund in Indiana and played a role in his side’s first goal with a dummy which set Harry Wilson free to score.
However, he could have made a name for himself with an earlier effort which was saved by Dortmund keeper Marwin Hitz.