Once touted as Liverpool’s successor to Steven Gerrard, former midfielder Jordan Rossiter has found himself without a club following his release from Shrewsbury Town, marking another setback in the 28-year-old’s career.
Rossiter made a memorable debut for the Reds in September 2014, netting a long-range goal against Middlesbrough in a League Cup tie at the tender age of 17. This audacious strike only added to the growing hype surrounding him at the club.
Hailing from the Everton Valley area of Liverpool, Rossiter was tipped to be the next big thing to emerge from the club’s renowned academy. He wore the captain’s armband for both Liverpool and England at youth level, and his emerging leadership skills and reputation as a tenacious midfielder naturally drew comparisons with Gerrard.
Despite being the fourth youngest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history, Rossiter’s time at Anfield was prematurely ended due to injuries and limited opportunities. He managed just five senior appearances under Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp before departing for Rangers in the summer of 2016.
Post-Anfield, Rossiter has had stints at clubs including Rangers, Bury, Fleetwood Town, and Bristol Rovers. His move to Shrewsbury even saw him loaned out to Oldham Athletic midway through this season, but he only clocked up 26 appearances across both clubs this year.
He’s been let go by Shrewsbury, marking a stark contrast from the bright future that once seemed certain for him. The ex-England U-19 standout spent 11 impressive years with Liverpool reserves, even donning the captain’s armband during his tenure.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
His innate talent earned him high praise from Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, who once observed he might be “potentially a young Stevie G”. Rossiter’s burgeoning skills didn’t escape Jamie Carragher’s attention either, with the Anfield hero remarking, “I like the look of him. He’s got that bit of character and steel that me and Stevie have had. He’s a great talent.”
Despite Brendan Rodgers’ belief in his potential, the managerial shake-up that introduced Klopp to Liverpool effectively closed the chapter on Rossiter’s career at the club. His sole display under Klopp was a brief 13-minute substitute appearance in an unremarkable Europa League match against Sion.
A troubling hamstring issue coupled with fierce competition for midfield spots led to Rossiter’s sale to Rangers. In a twist of destiny, he found himself under the tutelage of Gerrard himself who took the helm there two years on.
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The recurring injuries at Ibrox have led Rossiter down a painful road, contending with his own physical limits, which has now left him clubless.
Being likened to football legends can sometimes be a heavy burden for up-and-coming talents. Although Rossiter’s journey with Liverpool might suggest that the ‘next Steven Gerrard’ tag was a hindrance, he views his past through a contemplative lens.
Speaking to The Athletic in 2020, Rossiter dismissed the idea that the comparisons to Gerrard were a burden. “No, I never saw it like that,” he said. 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.'”.
