The 2000s and early 2010s was the era of lost opportunities at Liverpool. A number of false dawns gave rise to hope on the pitch before being snuffed out with brutal apathy.
One such opportunity presented itself in 2013 when the Reds signed a four-year “co-operation” deal with Belgian Pro League club KRC Gent.
The agreement on paper saw the clubs work together with regards to scouting, loans, and recruitment of non-EU based players. Not only did it help Liverpool help gain work permits for their non-EU based players but the Reds could also send their talents out on loan to garner more game time.
It also involved the scouting departments of the two clubs sharing information, a decision with hindsight could have been a gamechanger. In the end, just one player, Chris Mavinga made the Switch to the Belgian side. The Frenchman would go on to make a grand total of zero appearances for Liverpool.
A partnership that promised so much, was, in reality, nothing but a damp squib. The club just did not make use of the opportunity that presented itself.
There was no clause that permitted Liverpool to cherry-pick the talents coming out of Genk. However, had the relationship blossomed, the Reds would have, at the very least, have had an intimate knowledge of the players coming through the Belgian side.
To gain a perspective, the players who came through the ranks at Genk are Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, Yannick Carrasco, Dennis Praet, Steven Defour, Christian Benteke and Divock Origi.
The list gets longer when you realize that Kalidou Koulibaly, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Leon Bailey also spent time at the Luminus Arena before moving on to bigger teams.
Of the illustrious names, just two – Benteke and Origi made it to Anfield. No thanks to the agreement. It is interesting what might have been had Liverpool made full use of the agreement. Chances in football do not often present themselves twice, but Liverpool could manufacture one for themselves with Scottish giants Rangers.
Currently managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, the Scottish club has a smattering of former Liverpool staff on their rolls. These include assistant manager Gary McAllister, first-team coach Michael Beale, technical coach Tom Culshaw, head of scouting Andy Scoulding, head of performance Jordan Milsom, club doctor Mark Waller and head of medical Matt Konopinski.
A number of players have also made the switch including Jon Flanagan, Ryant Kent, Ovie Ejaria, and Sheyi Ojo. The latter two on loan. The amount of infiltration would be something James Bond would be proud of.
A proud club with a rich history, Rangers went into administration and subsequent liquidation in 2012. They entered the Scottish football pyramid in the fourth tier before making their way back to the first division within four years.
Once battling neck to neck against fierce rivals, their time in the lower rungs only increased the level between both sides. The Old Firm derby, once a fierce and evenly matched contest, became known only for the former and less the latter.
Gerrard led them to their first win at Celtic Park since 2010 with a 1-0 victory last December. However, such victories only gloss over the fact that they were beaten by their rivals in the 2019 League Cup final and are currently 13 points behind the Hoops in the SPL.
In spite of continued development, they lack the quality needed to pip Celtic to the perch of Scottish football. This could be achieved if they get into a partnership with Liverpool.
With Gerrard and his staff spending a number of years at the Liverpool Academy, they will also have an idea of the promising players working their way up on Merseyside.
The Reds have focussed on revamping their youth system and have a number of promising talents coming through. Given the quality of the first-team, breaking into the setup is harder than ever before.
Sending them on loan to Rangers will be beneficial for all parties involved. The players get to develop and play regularly in competitive matches under management that is pro-Liverpool at heart. Whereas, Rangers too will have a talented bunch to close the gap on Celtic with.
In exchange, the best of the lot from the Rangers Academy can also undergo training at Liverpool.
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the finances of football clubs, loans and swaps are the best way forward until normalcy is restored. Liverpool should attempt to make full use of the opportunity here.
The Reds can also request the first refusal for any player coming through the ranks at the Ibrox and seal one dedicated source to cherry-pick targets from. Given that the likes of Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk made their names in Scotland, it is a league well worth monitoring.
Further, an exchange program can also be mooted wherein both clubs exchange staff for training. Given Liverpool’s resources, Rangers could well benefit from it. A further boost can also include shared scouting knowledge. Given Liverpool’s recent success in the market, the Gers will do well to replicate it.
To sweeten the deal, Liverpool can also agree to play a friendly every pre-season at the Ibrox, with the Scots keeping the gate receipts. Given the draw Jurgen Klopp’s Reds have, the stadium is sure to be packed.
Over the years, a number of players have made the move from Ibrox to Goodison Park. Although the Blues are looking to shop at a higher level, financial constraints may lead them to explore previously explored channels. If not now, then sometime down the line.
Preempting their rivals will also elicit a chuckle from the Red half of Merseyside.
A partnership with Rangers is well worth exploring. Rather than trying to acquire them as a client club, doing so on equal terms will appeal to the pride of both clubs. Not only will Liverpool be able to provide their youngsters with more game time, but Rangers also stand to gain by the availability of such players.
As an added bonus, it should also familiarize Gerrard with the setup and players coming through at Liverpool. An exchange program will also acquaint him with a working relationship with the staff at Melwood. Something that will make the transition easier if he does take over the reins from Klopp in the future.
