MX23RW : Monday, December 16 01:32:40| >> :120:14122:14122:

Steven Gerrard admits defeat in Ryan Kent pursuit

Klopp insists Kent will only leave Liverpool on a permanent deal.

Steven Gerrard admits Rangers have no choice but to move on after Jurgen Klopp priced Ryan Kent out of an Ibrox return.

But the Light Blues manager insists Alfredo Morelos remains part of his squad despite being linked with a move to China.

Gerrard was desperate to lure winger Kent back to Glasgow after his impressive loan stint last season.

But Liverpool boss Klopp has left the former Anfield skipper disappointed by insisting £10million-rated Kent will only leave on a permanent deal this summer – with the finances involved likely to be beyond Gers' reach.

"I haven't asked that question (to the board) but I think the answer would probably be yes," said Gerrard as he admitted the figures required to sign Kent would be too rich for his side.

"Jurgen has come out and given the answer that will come out of my mouth anyway. It has been addressed and we move on.

"The end of it? Where we are right now, yes. We respect Liverpool's stance and we thank them very much for allowing us to work with Ryan for a year.

"We have obviously got a Liverpool player at the moment in Sheyi Ojo who has started very well. I had a good conversation on the phone with Jurgen a few days ago and we totally respect Liverpool's position on it.

"It is possible we still might get one more player in, but there is no rush. The squad is in a decent place so we will go with what we have at the moment.

"If something was to come up that makes us better and we think it will make us better then we will take it to the board and the answer will be with them."

Reports on Thursday claimed Morelos had decided against Hebei Fortune despite the Chinese Super League outfit having been prepared to meet Rangers' £15million valuation.

It was claimed a £30million, three-year package had been put on the table before the Colombian turned it down.

But Gerrard – who said last week he was hoping to put the striker in front of the Scottish media for the first time since joining two years ago to answer questions on his future – responded to the story by saying: "I'm unaware of it. There have been no bids. It is as you were from the last time. I'm not sure whether he is going to do the interview for you, though."

Meanwhile, the Ibrox boss admits Progres Niederkorn are not worth risking Steven Davis' tight hamstring on.

The Northern Ireland midfielder was the only absentee as Gers jetted into Luxembourg for their Europa League second qualifying round return clash.

The Ibrox side hold a 2-0 lead from the first leg and Gerrard believes that should be enough to see his side through – even without their veteran playmaker.

Gerrard said: "It's a game we are looking forward to. I believe we should have got the job done a week ago but we left ourselves work to do, so we are here to do it.

"The players are in good shape and have trained really well. We have come over here with a fully-fit squad besides Steven Davis and everyone is focused and tuned-in to finish the job off.

"We know it will be tough. European games away from home, whoever you come up against, always pose you different challenges, so we believe we are ready for that and we are here to get the job done.

"(Steven) had a tight hamstring after the Derby game. I think, at a real, big push he could have been with us, but at this stage of the season and such an important player, it's not worth taking a risk.

"I think he'll have a good chance (of facing Kilmarnock on Sunday)."

ID:366622: cacheID:366622:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5120:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard pictured on July 25, 2019
Read Next:
Steven Gerrard: 'Rangers not clinical enough'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Bournemouth157352320324
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!