Liverpool’s Dominic Solanke has been widely linked with Rangers in recent days. Yesterday’s win over Livingston, however, proved that the deal must go ahead.
Rangers beat the West Lothian side in a comfortable 3-0 success at Ibrox. It was another morale-boosting win for the club as momentum continues to grow in Govan.
Yet, the performance of one player was a big cause for concern – Kyle Lafferty. The towering striker was given his big chance as Steven Gerrard decided to rest Alfredo Morelos against Livi.
To say his display was underwhelming would be an understatement. The Northern Irishman failed to hold the ball up convincingly, and barely got in behind Livingston’s defence. He worryingly looked like the player many couldn’t stand when he was at Ibrox the first time around. Only when Morelos came on did Rangers start to look a serious threat once more.
This is just the latest in a string of negative occurrences for Lafferty since arriving at Ibrox. His poor performances quickly forced Gerrard into dropping the two-striker system. This was followed by a falling-out with his national team over a late call-off.
Added to that, Morelos is now in the form of his life with eight goals in his last eight domestic matches. Lafferty, at the moment, could only dream of that kind of form.
Doesn’t look like coming good
It unfortunately showed that, as it stands, the forward isn’t good enough to come into the side and do a job. He could come good in the future, but Gerrard can’t just wait on him to start performing.
A big development on the story has happened this morning. TalkSPORT have revealed that their Liverpool sources have stated there’s “no chance” of doing a deal with Rangers for Solanke.
Whether this truly is the case remains to be seen. If not, however, then Rangers really have to move to strengthen their forward line in January. The Englishman is in fine form with the England Under-21s. He’s managed to notch four goals in his last two matches for his country, as his form remains red-hot on the pitch.
If a deal can’t be done for Solanke, however, then Gerrard needs to find an alternative elsewhere.
Morelos is a booking away from a suspension, and will sit out a bunch of matches between now and the end of the season. Is Lafferty capable of stepping into his shoes? On current form – nowhere near it.
Rangers have confirmed that January is going to be a quiet month. A striker, however, is becoming a necessity instead of a bonus.
