OPINION
Rangers must make a fresh move for Liverpool’s young winger Ben Woodburn in January.
According to the Mail on Sunday (June 24, page 88), Steven Gerrard tried to land the Wales international in the summer.
Championship side Sheffield United ended up winning the race for his signature but Woodburn’s time there has been awful.
After making cameo appearances in five consecutive games at the start of his loan, he’s only played 10 minutes in the last nine Championship games.
And he’s been demoted to the Under-21 squad for two weeks. Put simply, for whatever reason, the loan move has been a disaster.
Crucially, Liverpool reportedly have a recall option that could see them bring the player back in January and move him on to another loan club.
And Steven Gerrard must ensure that he’s at the head of that queue.
Sheffield United are currently fourth in the Championship and there doesn’t seem to be a way back for Woodburn.
That’s not necessarily a reflection on him – some managers and some players just don’t click, and Woodburn obviously doesn’t fit into the Sheffield United system at the moment.
However, he’s a full international who’s made 11 first-team appearances for Liverpool. He’s got bags of talent and there’s no point in him wasting away on the sidelines.
Gerrard can ensure he gets his man at the second attempt and Woodburn can help Rangers launch a serious title bid in the second-half of the season.