'I was compared to Steven Gerrard at Liverpool - now I'm without a club at 28'

Daily Mirror

09-05-2025

Jordan Rossiter was once hailed as Liverpool's next big thing, with comparisons to Steven Gerrard ringing in his ears, but a series of setbacks has contributed to him being without a club at 28
Former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Rossiter was once hailed as the club's next Steven Gerrard. However, after a series of injuries and setbacks, the 28-year-old has just been released by Shrewsbury Town and now finds himself without a club.
Rossiter burst onto the scene for the Reds in September 2014, scoring a long-range effort against Middlesbrough in a League Cup tie on his debut at just 17. His ambitious strike only built on the legend he was generating at the club.
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Rossiter grew up in the Everton Valley area of Liverpool and was expected to be the next superstar moulded by the club's famed academy. He captained both Liverpool and England at youth level and, naturally, his budding leadership qualities and reputation as a fierce competitor in the middle of the park drew comparisons with Gerrard.
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While still ranking as the club's fourth youngest-ever goalscorer, Rossiter's time at Liverpool was cruelly cut short through injury and opportunity. He would go on to make just five senior appearances under Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp before leaving the club to join Rangers in the summer of 2016.
Since leaving Anfield, Rossiter has lined up for clubs such as Rangers, Bury, Fleetwood Town and Bristol Rovers. His move to Shrewsbury even saw him sent out on loan to Oldham Athletic midway through this season, yet he only managed 26 appearances across both clubs this year.
He's now been released by Shrewsbury. His current status as a free agent is a far cry from how his career was expected to materialise. The former England U-19 star enjoyed an impressive 11-year stint with Liverpool's reserves, where he even wore the captain's armband.
His raw ability saw Liverpool icon Robbie Fowler brand him as "potentially a young Stevie G". After taking a closer look at Rossiter in training, Jamie Carragher also hailed his flourishing ability. "I like the look of him," the Reds legend said. "He's got that bit of character and steel that me and Stevie have had. He's a great talent."
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Despite being favoured by Rodgers, the Northern Irishman's sacking and Klopp's arrival at the club subsequently ended Rossiter's time on Merseyside. His only appearance under the German was a 13-minute cameo off the bench in a forgettable Europa League tie against Sion.
An aggravated hamstring problem and an intense battle for places in Liverpool's midfield saw Rossiter sold to Rangers, whereas fate would have it, he briefly worked with Gerrard, who was appointed manager of the club two years later.
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An injury flare-up at Ibrox sent Rossiter down an unfortunate path of battling against his body, which has ultimately led him to be without a club.
Comparisons to such colossal and influential figures can often adversely affect young players. And despite Rossiter's career with Liverpool perhaps pointing to such an instance, the midfielder looks at his time as the Kop's 'next Steven Gerrard ' in a reflective light.
"No, I never saw it like that," he told The Athletic in 2020, when asked if the Gerrard remarks ever weighed heavy. "I was just thinking, 'Next Steven Gerrard? If I have 10 per cent of the career Steven Gerrard has had, then I will have had a great career.'"
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