Liverpool are as usual keeping an eye on the progress of a number of youngsters sent out on loans this season.
The Reds have various players operating temporarily at different levels of the game, with high hopes for several of them.
Loan moves can often be the making of a young player, with Conor Bradley the most recent example of a prospect forcing his way into the senior Liverpool squad on the back of an excellent period elsewhere.
The spell which turned Bradley into a genuine option for Liverpool was down in League One with Bolton Wanderers in 2022/23.
This year, the Reds have sent another promising full-back out to the same division in the hope of lightning striking twice.
For Luke Chambers at Wigan Athletic, the early signs of that happening have been very good indeed. Sadly, though, the 20-year-old has now been rocked by an untimely injury problem.
Shaun Maloney confirms Luke Chambers injury
Chambers has already been around the first-team at Liverpool, making four appearances last season.
Although the left-back still looked like he needed work to be up to the standard required at Anfield, there have been signs that Chambers could be a long-term option for the Reds.
That notion has been strengthened this season, with the England U20 international putting in some strong displays for Wigan.
Chambers has been so good that Latics boss Shaun Maloney has described him as ‘our best player’ in the campaign so far.
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Those comments from Maloney came via Wigan Today. Unfortunately, though, the former Scotland midfielder went on to say that it was not all good news. After some great performances Chambers has returned to Liverpool for treatment and looks set to be out until January.
“Luke has a back injury, and it doesn’t look too good a prognosis,” says Maloney. “We got that news yesterday, he’s going to be out for a fair period of time. You’re not going to see him back on the field for quite a while. It’s not weeks, it will be months…into the New Year for sure
“He won’t need an operation, but he will go back to Liverpool tomorrow,” added the manager on Tuesday. “They’ll take over his rehab. The specialists will get involved and they’ll take that over. It’s a real shame for him.
“I think there’s a bit of history behind it, over the last two or three years. It’s not something that’s just happened, or an impact injury. It’s such a shame because he was absolutely flying for us, he’s probably been our best player this season.”
Luke Chambers rocked by injury news
This is terrible timing for Chambers who had really been building a head of steam at Wigan.
Although the Latics have been poor this season and find themselves down in 18th place in League One, the Liverpool academy defender has emerged as a key player.
Starting 10 out of 12 league games, Chambers has provided one assist and scored one goal – a delightful, Fabio Aurelio-esque long distance free-kick to catch the goalkeeper out at the near post.
There had been suggestions over the summer that Chambers could be recalled by Liverpool in January and sent to play at a higher level.
Given his early season form, that may have been a possibility. Now, though, the single hope will be getting the full-back up to fitness again and getting him the game time needed to develop. Get well soon, Luke!
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