When a young attacker first bursts onto the scene, fans focus more on the youngster’s skills and excitement than his end product. However, eventually, supporters will start looking at the numbers and players will have to provide more than an entertaining spark. In this week’s Liverpool loan report, a winger shows his creativity, an attacker struggles for minutes, and a goalkeeper tries to find form.
Liverpool Loan Report for December 3
Ben Doak – Middlesbrough
Five Championship games ago, Ben Doak had just one goal and no assists in eight Championships appearances. He had wowed Middlesbrough fans with his pace and silky dribbling but the need for an end product was growing. The 19-year-old winger has shown brilliant growth over his last five games, registering five assists and leading his side to four wins.
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Doak set up striker Tommy Conway twice in Middlesbrough’s 3-1 win over Hull City. First, he lifted a brilliant ball over the head of Goalkeeper Ivor Pandur so the striker could head home. Next, after some sharp dribbling on the right, the 19-year-old played in Conway again and the 22-year-old fired the ball into the goal from close range.
Owen Beck – Blackburn Rovers
Owen Beck played as a left winger as Blackburn Rovers shocked Leeds United at Ewood Park. The 22-year-old, who returned from injury in a mid-week win over Middlesbrough, helped left-back Harry Pickering deal with the threat of Dan James and Jayden Bogle on The Whites right wing. The natural full-back played the full 90 minutes and will hope to continue his return to action when his side travels to Hull next weekend.
Giorgi Mamardashvili – Valencia
Giorgi Mamardashvili did not have a good game as Valencia lost 2-1 to Mallorca. The Georgian goalkeeper only made one save as his side slipped back into the La Liga relegation zone. With Caoimhin Kelleher helping Liverpool to clean sheets over Real Madrid and Manchester City this week, the 24-year-old has a fight on his hands to be the Reds second choice goalkeeper next season, let alone their number one.
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Mamardashvili had been having a solid season before the November international break, but he has struggled to keep anything out of his net since Valencia returned to action. Anfield’s bosses will hope their £25 million shot-stopper returns to form soon before they are left with a dilemma next summer.
Lewis Koumas – Stoke City
Lewis Koumas has gone through the opposite process of Doak. Instead of providing goals and assists after his exciting start, Koumas has slowly faded to the fringes of the Potters squad. The 19-year-old hasn’t scored since a 2-2 draw with Bristol City in October and his confidence has slowly drifted. The youngster played 16 minutes in his side’s 2-0 loss to Burnley but only touched the ball once.
Luca Stephenson – Dundee United
Luca Stephenson was trialled in centre midfield last week against Rangers and the position switch was stuck with for this weekend’s victory over St Mirren. The 21-year-old again seemed to struggle in his new role, completing just 63% of his passes. However, with the team picking up results, the natural wing-back can expect to keep playing in midfield for the foreseeable future.
Stefan Bajcetic – RB Salzburg
Stefan Bajcetic started on the bench again for RB Salzburg in their away clash with Hartberg. However, an early injury to Amar Dedic saw the young midfielder introduced in the 26th minute. The 20-year-old put in a battling performance, winning 11 of his 13 ground duels, but struggled to retain possession, only completing 73% of his passes.
Rhys Williams – Morecambe
Rhys Williams’ Morecambe are bottom of League 2 but are finding joy in the FA Cup this season. A 1-0 over fellow fourth-tier side Bradford City has seen the Shrimps draw Chelsea away in the next round. The 23-year-old has experience playing against elite Premier League opposition, playing against Arsenal and Manchester United during Liverpool’s injury crisis in 2021.
Liverpool Loan Players Could Be Recalled in January
With Kaide Gordon, Nat Phillips, Calvin Ramsay, and Marcelo Pitaluga all struggling for regular starts for their loan clubs, bosses at Anfield have some decisions to make regarding recalling players on the Liverpool loan report in January. Some, like Gordon and Pitaluga, may need to move to a lower level for regular minutes. On the other hand, Ramsay and Phillips just need moves to teams struggling for depth in their positions.
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Calum Scanlon and Luke Chambers have been out with back injuries over the past few weeks. The former, who played just once for Millwall before injury, should return soon. However, the latter may be out until after the new year.
