Liverpool Loan Players Facing Summer Assessment: Key Players Evaluated

With the 2023/24 European football season coming to a close, Liverpool are set to welcome back 19 players from loan spells.

Many youngsters and squad players found game time elsewhere in the English football pyramid, while others looked to impress in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. Incoming manager Arne Slot and the Reds staff must sort through these prospects and decide their Anfield futures.

Last Word on Football looks at the key players returning from loan and evaluates where they may be playing their football in 2024/25

Liverpool Loan Players Facing Summer Assessment

Sepp van den Berg, Mainz

Sepp van den Berg capped off a productive loan spell with a vital goal for Mainz in a 3-1 win over Wolfsburg that secured Mainz’s Bundesliga status for next season. The Dutch centre-back played 35 times for the 05ers as he bounced back from an injury-hit 2022/23 campaign on loan with Schalke.

The 22-year-old has been on Liverpool’s books since 2019 and through loan spells with Preston, Schalke, and Mainz has developed into a capable defender for a club in Europe’s top five league. Van den Berg’s aerial ability is his best attribute, he won 5.2 aerial duels per game last season compared to countryman Virgil Van Dijk’s 3.9.

Following three loan spells, it is time for Liverpool to decide how they view the Dutchman. Joel Matip’s departure has opened up a spot at centre-back but do the Reds trust Van den Berg to fill it? The Athletic has reported that a £20 million price tag has been placed on the 22-year-old however, he will get a chance to impress Slot during the preseason.

Vitezslav Jaros, Strum Graz

Vitezslav Jaros gained invaluable experience on loan at Strum Graz in the Austrian Bundesliga this season, helping his team to a league and cup double. After arriving in January, the 22-year-old made 21 appearances for Die Schwoazn, keeping seven clean sheets.

Jaros’ good form earned him a call-up to the Czech Republic senior squad for the first time in March. After previous loans in Ireland and League Two, the 22-year-old proved himself as the number-one goalkeeper for a double-winning side. The Czech goalkeeper had a save percentage of 74% compared to Alisson’s 73%.

Next season, Jaros could be a loan target for teams in the Championship or other European clubs looking for a goalkeeper. However, if Caoimhin Kelleher decides to leave, the 22-year-old could get an opportunity in the cup competitions for Liverpool. Alisson’s summer commitments with Brazil at the Copa America mean the Czech goalkeeper will likely get a chance to impress during preseason.

Fabio Carvalho, RB Leipzig/Hull City

After a disastrous 2023, Fabio Carvalho reignited his career with a January move to Hull City. The Portuguese playmaker never found his role with RB Leipzig but thrived as a false nine for the Tigers, scoring nine goals in 20 Championship starts.

The 21-year-old had standout performances with doubles against Coventry City and Cardiff City, he also scored the winning goal against eventual playoff winners Southampton. Carvalho’s four big chances created shows that he should’ve had more than the two assists he registered for Hull.

The loan at the MKM Stadium helped the Portuguese playmaker regain his confidence and form after a difficult 12 months. Carvalho can’t afford to be sitting on a bench again during the 2024/25 season. The 21-year-old must find another loan where he can play regularly and develop, preferably in the Premier League.

Tyler Morton, Hull City

Tyler Morton improved on his 2022/23 term with Blackburn Rovers during a successful season-long loan with Hull. The midfielder started 35 matches and became a regular with England U21S, scoring during their win over Northern Ireland in November.

The 21-year-old scored three goals and registered five assists in a season where he became one of the Championship’s better midfielders. He was mainly used as a defensive midfielder, a position Liverpool struggled with in this campaign. Morton made his first appearance for the Reds in November 2021 and even started a Champions League game against Porto later that year.

After two loans in the Championship, Morton is ready for an opportunity in the Premier League. If the 21-year-old impresses during the preseason, that opportunity could come at Anfield. The England U21 international will compete with Stefan Bajcetic and James McConnell to be the youngster backing up Wataru Endo next year.

Nat Phillips, Celtic/Cardiff

A constant in preseason exit discussions, Nat Phillips has been at Liverpool for eight seasons and only played regularly once, in 2020/21 during the Reds’ injury crisis. Last term, a failed spell at Celtic saw him move to Cardiff in January. The 27-year-old got some much-needed playing time in Wales, making 18 appearances as his side finished 12th.

Phillips has spent the last 4 years on the periphery of Liverpool’s squad and should move on this summer in search of a permanent home. The 27-year-old probably has little value due to his failed move to Celtic and age but he could be very useful for a side in England’s second tier.

Liverpool’s 14 other returning loan players are a mix of players needing another loan after getting their first taste of first-team football (Harvey Davies and Luca Stephenson) or players still struggling to break from the injury curse (James BalagIzi and Calvin Ramsay).