Has EPL boss just opened door for Rangers to bag England international?

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has refused to rule out a loan departure for 20-year old long-linked Rangers target Dominic Solanke.

Steven Gerrard dismissed the story last week as ‘purely speculation’ but Rangers are well-known for needing further strikers up front with the departures of Ryan Hardie, Kenny Miller, Eduardo Herrera and Jason Cummings, and with only Alfredo Morelos and the as yet ‘unacclimatised’ Umar Sadiq as current options, and with the Kyle Lafferty deal still ongoing, Rangers could really use some more bodies up front.

Liverpool’s German boss said at his pre-Palace presser:

“I have nothing to say. I don’t want to discuss things like this (about Solanke) in a press conference. I hear this for the first time now, so it doesn’t look like it’s close to happening! Nothing to say. We have the 31st August, Italy closes today, and the rest have two weeks. That’s how it is. Nothing to say.”

Vague at best but the lack of an absolute no does suggest someone could be in line for a promising striker if Solanke wants first team football.

Gerrard, as mentioned, has poured cold water over the story, but if the Lafferty deal fails to materialise, he could well change his mind over the youngster. And, for that matter, even if he secures the NI international.

Watch this space!