As we approach the January transfer window, key figures at Anfield will be evaluating their youngster’s loan spells and deciding on the next steps, Apart from a few players suffering with fitness and form, the Reds will be happy with this year’s crop of loanees. In this week’s Liverpool loan report, a left-back gets on the scoresheet, a winger returns to first-team action, and a midfielder fails to find form.
Liverpool Loan Report: Winger Finds the Net
Owen Beck – Blackburn Rovers
Owen Beck scored a goal for Blackburn Rovers in their 2-0 win over Luton Town at Ewood Park. The 22-year-old reacted quickest to Yuki Ohashi’s deflected cross to fire home his first goal of the season. The home side moved up to fifth in the table with a convincing win over a struggling Hatters side.
Read More: Liverpool Loan Report: Attacker Breaks Goal Drought
Beck has been playing as a left-winger since returning from injury. Goals are something the 22-year-old is going to need a lot more of if he is going to make a permanent switch to the flanks. Next week, Blackburn travel to London to take on Millwall.
Kaide Gordon – Norwich City
Kaide Gordon made his first first-team appearance in nearly a month when he played 15 minutes in Norwich’s 2-1 loss to Burnley. The 20-year-old impressed completing all four of his passes and winning all three of his duels as The Canaries looked for a late equaliser. The young winger will be looking for more minutes next week when his side travel to Sunderland.
Ben Doak – Middlesbrough
Ben Doak was not at his best this week as Middlesbrough lost at Leeds United and beat Millwall at home. In the first game, Doak was kept at bay by left-back Max Wober. The 19-year-old failed to complete any of his six attempted dribbles and missed a big chance to put his side ahead in the 57th minute. This weekend, the young winger again struggled to retain possession, losing the ball 15 times.
Read More: Chelsea Face Stiff Liverpool Competition for €100 Million Bundesliga ‘Superstar’
If Doak had continued his November form, there could have been an urgency from staff at Anfield to get him playing at the Premier League level. However, the past few weeks have shown Liverpool that the 19-year-old still has plenty to learn in the Championship.
Lewis Koumas – Stoke City
After scoring last week, Lewis Koumas had two opportunities to start as Stoke City struggled for form. First, the 19-year-old played well as his side lost 2-1 to Luton. The attacker was lively throughout and was unlucky not to score when Thomas Kaminski saved his 56th and 59th-minute shots. However, in a 2-2 draw to Cardiff, Koumas’ performance was disappointing. The 19-year-old only managed 26 touches and was substituted in the 58th minute as he struggled to get involved in the game.
Luca Stephenson – Dundee United
Luca Stephenson once again struggled playing as a midfielder in Dundee United’s 4-3 loss to Motherwell. The 21-year-old won only four of his 11 duels and lost possession 12 times. He was eventually replaced by Kai Fotheringham as the visitors looked to get back into the game.
Stefan Bajcetic – RB Salzburg
RB Salzburg returned to winning way with a convincing 3-0 win over Austria Klagenfurt in the league. Stefan Bajcetic came on in the 71st minute and helped his side see out the game. The youngster completed 92% of his passes and created one big chance in 19 minutes of action. The Spanish U21 international is currently being benched in favour of the more experienced Mads Bidstrup. He needs to hope solid performances from the bench will earn him a start in the near future.
Rhys Williams – Morecambe
Rhys Williams continued his good recent form despite Morecambe losing 2-0 to Cheltenham Town. The big defender showed his aerial prowess, winning 15 of his 17 aerial duels. With the 23-year-old’s loan expiring in January, discussions will be had on whether the centre-back is ready to move up the football pyramid.
Nat Phillips – Derby County
Nat Phillips continues to be dropped when Derby County switches to a back-four formation. After a brilliant performance to help The Rams to a 0-0 draw with Burnley, the 27-year-old returned to the bench for a 4-0 win over Portsmouth. The Anfield cult hero was needed for 32 minutes of the win when Eiran Joe Cashin went down injured.
Liverpool Loan Players Set To Be Recalled
Only seven of Liverpool’s loan players played this week, so there will be questions as to why the others did not feature. Calum Scanlon (back), Luke Chambers (back), and Giorgi Mamardashvili (leg) are all injured. Calvin Ramsay has failed to earn the trust of Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney.
Marcelo Pitaluga remains the second choice at Livingston. Kaide Gordon has only made one start in the Championship this season and is also a contender to be recalled. Bajcetic hasn’t started as often as he would’ve hoped and Liverpool staff may conclude he’s better sitting on the bench at Anfield than in Salzburg.
