Max Morland covers the Liverpool players that are out on loan, in England and on the continent.
In a weekend where Liverpool secured yet another victory to ensure they remained in joint-top position of the Premier league, the Reds had several players out on loan and in action. Today, we have a look at how they’ve fared in the last few weeks.
Lazar Markovic
Unfortunately for the Serbian Winger, a loan spell to Sporting CP has so far not been able to rekindle the sort of performances which earned him a £20 million move to the Reds in 2014. Against Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund last Tuesday, Markovic was subbed off just after the hour mark after failing to make any impression on the game, and was subsequently jerked off by his own fans, who have clearly grown impatient with the 22 year old. Sporting went on to lose that game 2-1, leaving them third in Group F in the Champions League.
As a result of that poor performance, Markovic was left on the bench by manager Jorge Jesus for Sporting’s following match against Tondela last weekend. As an unused sub, the Serbian could only watch his side struggle to a 1-1 draw in what was a poor performance, however, the 22-year-old did regain his starting spot on Friday night, but was again ineffective in an attacking sense, and was subbed in the 59th minute.
After a hugely disappointing start to his loan spell in Turkey, Markovic will hope to improve his performances in order to hold down regular first-team football and to give Klopp a reason to give him a chance at Liverpool next season.
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Loan Rating: 4
Adam Bogdan
Since an embarrassing error against Norwich last month, the Hungarian goalkeeper has put in some solid displays for Championship side Wigan, maintaining his ever-present status for the Latics, who sit third from bottom in the Championship table. Despite their lowly league position, Wigan have been fairly solid defensively, having conceded just 16 goals in the league so far.
Bogdan has played his part in keeping the opposition out, making some vital saves, especially in the Latics’ recent 1-0 victory over fellow strugglers Cardiff in the Championship. Bogdan will hope to keep up his excellent form and try to elevate his team’s position in the league.
Loan Rating: 7
Danny Ward
Huddersfield Town’s positive start to the season has faltered in recent weeks, with the team having lost 3 of their last four matches, in a run which has seen them slip from top of the Championship to third. In one of the most shocking results of the season so far, Ward conceded 5 times in a surprise mauling by mid-table Fulham, although Liverpool’s
loanee goalkeeper was not at fault for any of the goals. Ward has so far kept 4 clean sheets this season, and remains an ever present for the Terriers.
Loan Rating: 8
Jon Flanagan
After failing to make a league appearance in Burnley’s first 8 league matches of the season, Flanagan came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute against Everton, and as a result of an injury suffered to Stephen Ward, the Liverpool-born full-back retained his place for Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Manchester United. He will no doubt be delighted with his performance, especially given the opposition.
With Ward potentially returning to the side next weekend, Flanagan will hope to cement his fist team place, and force himself into Jurgen Klopp’s plans for next season.
Loan Rating: 5
Andre Wisdom
Having returned from a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Wisdom has been carefully reintroduced to the Salzburg team. He started in the Europa League defeat to Mario Balotelli’s new team, OGC Nice. Wisdom returned to the bench for Salzburg’s following league match, with the right back remaining sidelined for the duration. It has been a mixed spell in Austria so far for the former England U21 Captain.
Loan Rating: 6
Ryan Fulton
It has been a disappointing loan spell so far for the young goalkeeper, not due to his personal performances, but because of Chesterfield’s recent form, which has seen them slump to second from bottom in League 1. Fulton has at times been the Spireites’ best player, preventing his team from some embarrassing scorelines. The goalkeeper can only keep up his form and hope that the players around him can start to improve.
Loan Rating: 5
Lloyd Jones
After a great start to his loan spell at Swindon, an injury hip injury sustained earlier in the month has limited Jones’ playing time since then to just one substitute appearance in the 4-1 defeat at league leaders Scunthorpe on Saturday. In spite of his recent return from injury, it is highly likely that the young centre back will quickly re-establish himself in the side, and look to continue the good run of form he was on before his injury.
Loan Rating: 6
Ryan Kent
After a good start at Championship outfit Barnsley, Kent has unfortunately seen his, and the team’s performance levels drop. The winger kicked off his season in style with a great solo goal in August but has since endured a tough run of form. Fortunately for the 19-year-old, a lack of options for manager Paul Heckingbottom has ensured that the winger has kept his place in the team in spite of his recent performances. Kent will look to push on in the FA cup on the weekend, and try to arrest his poor form.
Loan Rating: 5
Jack Dunn
Jack Dunn lost the chance to add to his impressive goals tally in League 2 this season, missing Morecambe’s 2-2 draw with Colchester due to a minor injury. The young attacker was back in action, however, as a second half substitute in the Shrimps’ heavy 3-0 defeat against Exeter, but failed to make any real impact on the game. After a good start to the season, Dunn’s good form has slightly tailed off in recent weeks, and so he will look to get back on track when his team face Coventry City in the FA cup next weekend.
Loan Rating: 5
Sam Hart
The young full-back is on a season-long loan at league one promotion hopefuls Port Vale, and after a mixed start, he has established himself well in the starting eleven, making four consecutive starts for the Valiants. Hart’s good form has been recognised by manager Bruno Ribeiro, who rewarded the youngster with the chance to play on the left wing in the 2-2 draw against Oxford last weekend.
Loan Rating: 7
Allan Rodrigues da Souza
Da Souza is spending the 2016/17 campaign on loan at German club Hertha Berlin, and has helped them to a good start to the season: the team currently sit fifth in the table, ahead of Klopp’s former side Borussia Dortmund, who lie sixth. The Brazilian has put in some decent performances in the Bundesliga, although his game time has at times been limited by manager Pál Dárda – da Souza started just one match in October. The midfielder will look to increase his game time in the near future in order to catch the eye of Jurgen Klopp.
Loan Rating: 6
Taiwo Awoniyi
The Nigerian striker is on loan at Dutch team NEC Nijmegen for the duration of the season, and he netted his first goal for the club last Sunday, bundling a cross over the line to grab a late equaliser for his side. Although game time has been limited for Awoniyi, he has put in some good performances from the bench and will look to break into the starting lineup in the coming weeks. Nijmegen currently sit 10th in the Eredivisie.
Loan Rating: 6