STEVEN Gerrard has not given up hope of signing Ryan Kent on loan for next season but admitted Rangers have no chance of signing the winger on a permanent deal.

The Ibrox manager believes the 22-year-old Liverpool player has found the best place for him at this stage of a career which has not run smoothly up until this point.

Kent is certain to have attracted interest from English clubs and Liverpool would look for the bidding to start at £8million, which rules out Rangers.

However, Gerrard still believes an agreement can be reached for a player who after a slow start has become one of the Premiership’s best players.

Gerrard said: “I won’t give hope of keeping Ryan until I see him in a different kit. I have a very good relationship with Ryan. I think he’s really enjoying his football.

“It is important that you guys and everyone who has been talking about him realises how important it is for a footballer to have happiness and especially a player who has experienced certain moved, certain decisions in his career that haven’t worked out.

“If you speak to Ryan he will tell you that he’s happy, that he’s enjoying his football, and the fans are really enjoying him. There are a lot of boxes ticked with him being at Rangers. Liverpool know that, Ryan and his people know that, and we certainly understand that.

“The decision is going to be Ryan’s alongside Liverpool and his people. All we can do is make sure we’re at the table – and we will be at the table.

“Ryan knows that, his people know that, and Liverpool know that. However, it’s a situation which could mean we might have to be patient and see what Jurgen Klopp does with Ryan in terms of whether he extends his stay at Liverpool; there’s a lot of things that could happen over the next couple of months.

“We have to make sure we have offer for Ryan. Our supporters need to know I’m doing everything I can to make sure Ryan is here next year because he is one of the people I want to build the team around.

“Ryan has intimated to me that he’s enjoyed every minute of being here. He’s enjoyed the journey so far. I wouldn’t put Ryan on the spot in terms of that conversation. I understand there is a lot could happen over the next couple of months.

“But Ryan knows that I want him here. His team-mates want him here – I know because I’ve seen it with my own eyes – and we’ll wait to see how that progresses.

“Am I confident? Yes and no. There is a lot of me that thinks this is the best place for Ryan, I try to put myself in the shoes of the agent and Liverpool, and I do actually believe that given the stage Ryan is at, Rangers is a very good place for him to grow, develop and keep moving forward.

“From where he was when he walked through the door to where he is now, he’s in a much better place.”

I think it would unlikely to be a permanent move. I would be more confident about getting him back on a loan – but I don’t care.

“If Liverpool wanted to sell him, that’s out of my hands. We’ll have to wait and see. I don’t know how is going to be at the table, and at what price and what Liverpool want for Ryan. Thar’s none of my business.

“The numbers being spoken about (up to £12m)… I’m out.”