WIGAN, ENGLAND - Sunday, July 17, 2016: Liverpool's Ryan Kent in action against Wigan Athletic during a pre-season friendly match at the DW Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool loanee Ryan Kent wins Barnsley’s Young Player of the Season award

Liverpool academy winger Ryan Kent has been named Barnsley’s Young Player of the Season for his performances on loan at Oakwell.

Kent joined the Tykes on a season-long deal back in July, and has made 46 appearances for the Championship side so far, scoring three and assisting three.

The 20-year-old has taken to his role excellently under Paul Heckingbottom, who has all but sealed Barnsley’s place in the English second tier for another season.

Kent’s performances have clearly not gone unnoticed, as he was handed the club’s Young Player of the Season award on Saturday afternoon.

He picked up the award before Barnsley’s final home game of the season against Burton Albion, in which he made his 37th league start of the campaign.

His spell in South Yorkshire has been one of the most profitable of all of Liverpool’s loanees this season, having managed to secure regular first-team football at a competitive level.

Danny Ward is among the Reds’ success stories this season, helping Huddersfield Town to the Championship playoffs.

Andre Wisdom (Red Bull Salzburg), Lazar Markovic (Hull City), Pedro Chirivella (Go Ahead Eagles) and Mamadou Sakho (Crystal Palace) have also impressed.

And Allan Rodrigues, who made his third consecutive start for Hertha Berlin against Werder Bremen on Saturday, is slowly carving out a role.

For Kent, his future at Liverpool is still unclear, despite his positive performances while on loan at Barnsley.

Both Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion have been credited with an interest in signing the winger, who could struggle to break into Klopp’s plans if he remains on Merseyside.

This is despite a dearth of wide options currently at the German’s disposal, with Sadio Mane his only recognised senior winger in 2016/17.

Both Sheyi Ojo and Harry Wilson find themselves in a better position than Kent at this stage, while Julian Brandt, Douglas Costa and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all been linked with moves.

Receiving recognition for his displays at Barnsley will be a boost for Kent, however, as he can clearly already cut it at Championship level.

If one of the south-coast clubs takes a punt with the youngster in the summer, he could given an opportunity to prove he is able to do so in the Premier League.

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