Ex-Liverpool forward set for swift return to English football just 5 months after Anfield exit

Just five months after departing Liverpool, a promising young winger is said to be on the verge of a quick return to English football.

Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez were the headline attacking exits from Anfield, while highly rated academy prospect Ranel Young made a surprising switch to Serbian side Usce in July, despite being offered a new contract by Liverpool earlier in the summer. The move, however, failed to take off. The 19-year-old featured only five times for the Stepojevac-based club and hasn’t played since September, eventually terminating his contract and becoming a free agent.

Bristol City close in on former Liverpool winger Ranel Young

On Wednesday afternoon, Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke revealed that Young has agreed terms with Bristol City after already training with the Championship club. The deal is expected to be finalised ahead of the January transfer window, adding the teenager to Gerhard Struber’s squad for the second half of the campaign.

Bristol City currently sit 11th in the table, just four points adrift of the play-off places, and Young is set to bolster their attacking options as they push on this season.

Young’s Liverpool journey

Although Young never made a competitive first-team appearance for Liverpool, he was included in matchday squads twice last season, sitting on the bench for the Carabao Cup victory away at Brighton in October 2024 and the surprise FA Cup loss to Plymouth Argyle the following February.

During his time in Liverpool’s academy, the winger impressed with his blistering pace, direct approach, and dribbling ability. He also showed a tendency to cut inside onto his left foot and deliver dangerous balls into the box.

While Struber already has several attacking players at his disposal, there is a relative shortage of natural wingers at Ashton Gate. That could open the door for Young to earn valuable Championship minutes in the new year and beyond.

After narrowly missing out in last season’s play-off semi-finals, Bristol City remain firmly in contention to challenge again for promotion in the future, making this an exciting opportunity for the young winger. Following his short-lived spell in Serbia, there’s optimism that Young can now make a real impact by the River Avon for the remainder of the season.