Championship side Birmingham City have joined the race to land Liverpool winger Ryan Kent on loan, reports reliable journalist Alan Nixon on Twitter.

The 20-year-old made his way up through the ranks at Anfield before earning his senior debut for the club back in January 2016, when he started their FA Cup third round draw at Exeter City.

Yet that, to this date, is the only first team appearance the former England Under-20 international has earned under Jurgen Klopp, although decent loan spells at Coventry City and then Barnsley has opened the eyes of several clubs in the second tier.

And recent reports from Nixon on Twitter suggest that Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham have joined the likes of Derby County and Hull City in pursuit of the 20-year-old, as the 70-year-old seeks to reinforce his squad after becoming increasingly frustrated with their lack of incomings this summer.

The former Tottenham boss helped the Blues avoid relegation last season before penning a one-year deal with the club, although he would likely have been hoping for more than five permanent signings and three loan ones thus far, especially given they’ve been linked with several players.

Yet landing Kent would certainly please the Birmingham chief given the immense quality and talent the Liverpool youngster possesses, yet as Nixon notes, it remains to be seen whether the Reds do indeed allow him out on loan this term, as he did impress manager Klopp during pre-season.

The Verdict: It looked for all the world that Ryan Kent would be sent out on loan for much-needed first team experience this season, yet manager Jurgen Klopp spoke of his delight at the youngster’s efforts during pre-season to hint that he may well stay at Anfield.

However, the 20-year-old himself signed a new deal earlier this month and admitted that he’d go out on loan if it meant he’d get first team football, and that appears to have alerted several second tier sides, including Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham.

The Blues have stuttered at the start of the new season and Redknapp himself has reaffirmed his desire to continue adding more players to his squad, a squad that narrowly avoided relegation last term.

And, in all honesty, they’ve shown little signs of progression in their first five games of the campaign, yet if they were to get a deal done for Kent between now and August 31, optimism would surely be somewhat renewed around St Andrew’s.

Birmingham, Derby, and Hull fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!