GERRARD EYES ON GERS’ KENT

ASTON VILLA and Leeds United will be keen observers at Anfield on Tuesday night after expressing an interest in signing Rangers forward Ryan Kent.

Kent, who will be facing Liverpool – the club that sold him for £7million three years ago – has refused to sign a new contract and will be a free agent next summer.

Leeds have already made unsuccessful moves to bring the 25-year-old to Elland Road, while it was Villa boss Steven Gerrard who took the winger to Ibrox during his time in charge of the Scottish giants.

Kent (above) who only played in one game for

Liverpool after emerging from the academy – an FA Cup third-round 2-2 draw with Exeter – has suffered a loss of form and confidence this term.

Some observers feel it is a hangover from the late miss in last season’s Europa League Final against Eintracht Frankfurt, keeper Kevin Trapp denying him from close range with the score at 1-1. Rangers went on to lose the penalty shoot-out.

Others feel it is failing to put pen on paper on a new contract, so keeping his options open for a move, probably to the Premier League.

Former Rangers striker Kenny Miller said: “If he commits to a new deal, he can get his head right, forget about any moves away and get back to his best form.

“He has huge games to look forward to, like the Champions League double header against Liverpool. He has the ability to be a fantastic player. He ripped

Borussia Dortmund apart in the Europa League.

Top clubs would have sat up and taken notice.

“He’s electrifying when he is in full flow.”

And former Rangers star Alan Hutton said: “Steven Gerrard would often put an arm around his shoulder. He needs that more than tough love.

“Maybe also, at times, he is trying too hard.”