When a young player struggles with form, they may fall into a vicious cycle that could ruin their career. This much-feared path involves them going on several loan moves and struggling to make an impact. This means that they are recalled and sent on different loans to clubs in lower divisions. Eventually, the player’s contract with their parent club runs out and they go unsigned, marking an end to a career that was once so promising. In this week’s Liverpool loan report, an “outstanding” defender works towards escaping this cycle, a midfielder suffers a frustrating result, and an attacker gets hit with another injury.
Liverpool Loan Report: ‘Outstanding’ Defender Gets Back on Track
Rhys Williams – Morecambe
Rhys Williams usually finds himself at the bottom of these Liverpool loan reports following a poor defensive display and defeat. However, the FA Cup offered the defender and his Morecambe side a new lease of life. The 23-year-old was left unmarked from a free kick and delivered a powerful header past the goalkeeper to seal the Shrimps’ place in the next round.
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Morecambe are currently bottom of League 2 with just seven points from 14 games. Williams has started 11 of these matches and only kept one clean sheet. The 23-year-old will hope that a solid performance and goal in the cup can be a springboard for the rest of the season.
Owen Beck – Blackburn Rovers
As Blackburn Rovers go through a poor run of form, Owen Beck continues to be one of their standout players. The 22-year-old has started all four games since returning from suspension and in a difficult match against Sheffield United winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, the left-back held his own.
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Beck was not dribbled past despite his side losing 2-0 to Chris Wilder’s high-flying Sheffield. The 22-year-old’s loan club are now three games without a win. Next week, Blackburn face the struggling Stoke City looking to get their season back on track.
Luca Stephenson – Dundee United
Luca Stephenson shone in a new position even as Dundee United failed to beat last-placed Hibernian. Playing as a right-winger, the 21-year-old created one big chance and was a constant threat going forward. This level of versatility will impress bosses at Anfield as they decide what’s next for Stephenson at the end of his loan spell.
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Dundee’s form has dropped off recently after an impressive start; they are now winless in three games. These defeats haven’t been Stephenson’s fault and he’ll likely still be in the starting lineup for next weekend’s clash with Ross County.
Stefan Bajcetic – RB Salzburg
Another loan player whose team is struggling for form, Stefan Bajcetic played 87 minutes as his side drew 0-0 to last-placed Grazer AK. RB Salzburg were playing with ten men for 45 minutes after Joane Gadou was sent off but still would’ve expected to beat their lowly visitors. The 20-year-old had more ground to cover as a result of the red card but had a good game overall, completing 85% of his passes and winning 11 duels.
Calvin Ramsay – Wigan Athletic
Calvin Ramsay was brought on at half-time and played 75 minutes as Wigan Athletic beat Carlise United 2-0 in extra-time in the FA Cup. The Scottish defender replaced Steven Sessegnon, who has recently returned from injury. The 21-year-old has played more often as of late with fellow Liverpool loanee Luke Chambers suffering from injury. The regular football has done the former Aberdeen man well and he seems to be gradually improving.
Nat Phillips – Derby County
Nat Phillips was also brought on at half-time as Derby County lost 2-1 to Stoke City. The centre-back was booked less than ten minutes after his introduction and didn’t put in the kind of display that will see him in the starting lineup anytime soon. The 27-year-old has started just once since joining the Rams at the end of August. Liverpool and the defender would’ve been hoping for a loan spell where he featured more.
Lewis Koumas – Stoke City
Following a brilliant goal and assist against Bristol City, Lewis Koumas has struggled for form. The 18-year-old played poorly in a 2-0 loss against Sheffield United and has been restricted to substitute appearances ever since. The Welsh international played 34 minutes as his Stoke side beat Derby 2-1. The youngster was kept quiet in these minutes, completing just one pass.
Kaide Gordon – Norwich City
Kaide Gordon was brought on with Norwich winning 1-0 away at Cardiff City with four minutes to go. Unfortunately, the youngster would go on to see his side lose 2-1 with goals in the 89th and 93rd minutes. The 20-year-old has played just 120 minutes since moving to Carrow Road and Liverpool may be considering recalling him in January.
Fatigue Injury Affects Middlesbrough’s Doak
Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak missed this weekend’s games with a hamstring injury caused by fatigue. The 18-year-old has only just returned from a knee injury that kept him out for the majority of the 2023/24 season and caused him to miss Euro 2024. The hope is that the winger will be available for the midweek clash against QPR. Also on the treatment table, this weekend were Luke Chambers and Callum Scanlon.
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None of Liverpool’s three on-loan goalkeepers featured this weekend. Marcelo Pitaluga and Fabian Mrozek remain the second choice and Giorgi Mamardashvili’s Valencia had their game against Real Madrid postponed due to the floods in Spain.
