Ryan Kent could follow in the footsteps of Patrick Roberts and take his game to a new level if Celtic land the winger on loan from Liverpool.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp
If you’re a young player hoping to be given your chance in the professional game, there’ worse managers to work under than Jurgen Klopp.
Ben Woodburn, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ovie Ejaria look set for bright futures under the German and, according to The Sun, 20-year-old winger Ryan Kent is also highly-regarded within the walls of Anfield.
So much so that they opened talks over a new contract in March in order to ward off interest from Bournemouth and Leeds United, the duo hoping to sign him on a permanent deal after his stand-out loan spell at Barnsley last season.
Ryan Kent played 40 Championship games for Barnsley
Needless to say, Celtic will need to twist Liverpool’s arm if they are to lure Kent to Scotland on a season-long loan for 2017/18. The Sun claims that the Scottish champions are the latest club to express an interest in the England Under-20 international.
However, perhaps Liverpool should give serious consideration towards letting Kent link up with the club’s former boss, Brendan Rodgers, north of the border.
Roberts’ replacement?
“There is a huge amount of investment going into academies in England, but the problem is there is nowhere for the players to play,” Rodgers told The Evening Times last month.
“So if you are looking for a loan for one of your young players who, okay, might not get a game right now but could be ready in two or three years’ time, where are you going to send them? This is the type of club Celtic is.
“They are going to be educated in football and life here, train well and go back a better player.”
It’s difficult to disagree, particularly with Patrick Roberts returning to Manchester City this summer a far more rounded, efficient player than the wafer-thin teenager who arrived on loan at Celtic 18 months ago.
Patrick Roberts
The 20-year-old helped Celtic seize a first domestic treble since 2001 last season, playing 47 games in all competitions.
And, fittingly, his place on the wing could be taken by another talented winger desperate to one day make his mark at a Premier League giant. Roberts’ success should prove to Liverpool that Celtic can be trusted to make Kent a better player.
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