Who Is This 19-Year-Old Liverpool Youngster, Who Recently Joined Barnsley On Loan

This is no secret that Liverpool’s academy is full of dynamic players, and given the record of Jurgen Klopp with respect to youths, it is safe to say that the players are in perfectly safe hands. It is clearly understood that the German manager is looking to reshape the entire squad in order to make the side a title challenger yet again, hence we might see some young players going away from Anfield, either or loan or on a permanent transfer.

Players like Jordan Ibe, Jerome Sinclair, Sergi Canos and Joe Allen have already left the club, and many believe that there are more players on the list, who could leave the club right away. Now, just a few days back, the Merseysiders allowed their 19-year-old English attacker Ryan Kent to leave on loan to Barnsley. Not many are Liverpool supporters are familiar with this name and that is simply because he never appeared for the senior side in his career in the Premier League.

Who is Ryan Kent?

The Oldham-born Ryan Kent joined the Merseyside club Liverpool at the age seven and progressed through the Liverpool academy to become a regular member of the U21 squad. After some stellar performances in the 2014-15 season, the Englishman was awarded new four and a half year contract and shortly after that, he was called by Brendan Rodgers for their 2015 pre-season tour with the player being named in Liverpool’s 30-man squad for their tour of Thailand, Australia, and Malaysia. In July 2015, Ryan Kent made his first-team debut when he came off the bench in the 2-1 win over Australian A-League side Brisbane Roar and was handed a first-team squad number for the Reds.

After his series of brilliant performances, the side began to receive some great loan offers for the player and eventually, he joined the Coventry City in September 2015 on a youth loan deal for four months.

He made 17 appearances for his new club and scored one goal. After his loan spell ended, he was named in Liverpool’s first-team to make his competitive debut for them, starting the FA Cup third round match away to Exeter City.

Now, very recently, the Merseysiders has sent the 19-year-old back on loan to Barnsley for the 2016-17 season.

Style of Play-

What Liverpool website described Kent is; ‘dynamic winger who can play on the left or right side’. Furthermore, what he is known for is his skills to take on the defenders and cause them many problems. Thanks to a wonderful loan spell with Coventry, the player is now capable of playing a more advanced role, i.e., as an attacking midfielder or as a second striker.

Kent, who named Ronaldinho his footballing idol is more of an attacking player, who loves to haunt the oppositions with his skills and trickery. Just like his teammate Philippe Coutinho, the Englishman is known for his deadly shooting abilities. 

Speaking on Kent’s arrival, Tony Mowbray, Coventry manager, outlined his expectations for the Reds’ academy star, telling BBC Coventry & Warwickshire that Kent can be his man for “making things happen” after Maddison’s injury.

“This lad’s more about making things happen, a bit more mobile in terms of speed and directness,” he explained.

“I’m pretty sure the only reason he is here is that it is the next step in his development at Liverpool.

“He’s looking for an opportunity to progress his career and we can give him an environment in which to do that.”

The lad is surely a great prospect for the team, but he is far from a finished product and too far from being a first team regular. The recent loan deal will allow him to groom himself during the next season and maybe after that, he could challenge for the first team spot.