BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 12, 2017: Liverpool's Ryan Kent in action against Tranmere Rovers during a preseason friendly match at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Ryan Kent to sign new Liverpool deal before leaving on loan this summer

Liverpool winger Ryan Kent is set to sign a new contract with the club, before joining either Hull City or Leeds United on a season-long loan.

The 20-year-old is currently with the Reds squad in Hong Kong, but is not likely to remain on Merseyside for long on their return next week.

Liverpool have already accepted loan offers from three clubs for the youngster, including from Hull and Leeds, leaving Kent with the decision over his destination for 2017/18.

Before he departs, however, Kent is in line for an improved deal, suggesting he has a long-term future under Jurgen Klopp.

According to the Hull Daily Mail, Kent’s loan will only be rubber-stamped once he puts pen to paper, with his current contract set to expire in 2019.

Kent has previously spent loan spells with Coventry City and Barnsley, and made significant progress with the latter last season.

He has been impressive when called upon this pre-season, shining in the second half against both Tranmere Rovers and Crystal Palace, almost scoring late on in Hong Kong.

The decision to loan both him and Sheyi Ojo out this summer is something of a questionable one, given the Reds’ busy schedule, but Klopp is clearly eager to tie him down for the future.

HONG KONG, CHINA - Wednesday, July 19, 2017: Liverpool's Ryan Kent and Crystal Palace's Luke Croll during the Premier League Asia Trophy match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at the Hong Kong International Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

In Kent, Klopp has a quick, skilful winger, eager to take players on and capable of operating on either flank, which would provide him with a valuable deputy to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.

This is a similar case with Ojo, who played a focal role in the 4-0 victory over Tranmere, laying on two assists.

Klopp also has Harry Wilson and Ben Woodburn at his disposal, though the former is yet to feature this pre-season and the latter has been utilised in a midfield role.

Beyond that young quartet, Philippe Coutinho is available on the left and Adam Lallana, Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge and Dominic Solanke are also capable of playing out wide.

But if both Kent and Ojo depart on loan, there remains a lack of natural wingers in Klopp’s squad for the upcoming campaign.

Experience is vital for the 20-year-old duo, naturally, and Kent joining either Leeds or Hull, and Ojo one of Fulham, Middlesbrough or Derby County, would provide them with that.

When they come into contention for a regular role at Liverpool is still up in the air, but a new deal for Kent would underline Klopp’s faith.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments