Steven Gerrard wants to call in a big favour from former club Liverpool – and also convince his old England team-mate Jermain Defoe to play for him.

The new Rangers manager is planning to sweet talk Jurgen Klopp into allowing him to borrow Reds striker Dominic Solanke.

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Gerrard is ready to get out his contacts book and entice the 20-year-old to Ibrox next season as the Gers look to close the gap on Celtic.

Defoe is also on Gerrard’s hit-list – but his wages may prove to be a stumbling block.

The Daily Record are reporting that the AFC Bournemouth hitman is also on the radar but his £65,000 a week earnings in the Premier League could prove a challenge to the Rangers board to overcome.

He isn’t the only former team-mate Gerrard has been linked to.

Centre-back Martin Skrtel, 33, is rumoured to be a target with the SPL side’s backline in desperate need of new blood after they let in 50 goals in 38 games last term.