Gerrard lauds Liverpool midfield youngster – “He controlled the game”

Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has been praising his on-loan Reds at Glasgow Rangers, reserving high praise for Ovie Ejaria in midfield.

We all like getting praise. But being lauded by a legend of your club must feel great. Ovie Ejaria will be buzzing after hearing his manager Steven Gerrard sing his praises this week. The Glasgow Rangers boss was effusive in his delight with Ejaria and fellow on-loan Red Ryan Kent.

Speaking yesterday Gerrard claims:

"“I thought Thursday night was Ovie’s strongest performance yet. Over 90 minutes I thought he controlled the game. He ran it, he looked great on the eye and did a lot of nice stuff that people would have liked.”More from Rush The KopSet to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back homeLiverpool making late comebacks all the rage once againWolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international dutyPlayers to watch in the matchup with WolvesPredicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures"

If Gerrard thinks you controlled the game then you controlled the game! Liverpool fans will be happy to hear the former captain speak of Ejaria in such terms. Liverpool have had a mixed bag with loans in recent seasons.

Marko Grujic and Harry Wilson both had productive spells in the second half of last season but they are the only examples of it going well in recent years.

One player who has had a string of bad loans is Ryan Kent. He has ended up at Coventry, Barnsley, SC Freiburg and Bristol City over the last three campaigns. Now at Rangers, the 21-year-old was also picked out by Gerrard for encouragement:

"“Kenty has also settled really quick. He’s doing both sides of the game. He’s defending well, tactically he’s really clever – which people might not realize – and he also gives us an unbelievable threat with his pace and skill.”"

There must be great motivation to prove themselves for this pair as they know the door is open to the first team if they show enough to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

The Liverpool back four now contains 21-year-old Joe Gomez and 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold as starters. That duo have gone on to represent England at the senior level and are rising stars on Merseyside.

The Gerrard connection at Rangers could be very fruitful for Liverpool over the next few years. it provides first team experience with plenty of opportunity to thrive in a weaker league.