Ben Twelves takes a look at how the recently departed former Reds have started their careers at new clubs since leaving Anfield in the summer transfer window.
Pepe Reina
Having left Anfield after nine years at the club, Reina’s move to German giants Bayern Munich has seen his match time severely restricted, as he serves a purpose as a back up option to Germany number one Manuel Neuer – who has conceded only two goals in the first seven Bundesliga games of the season.
.@PReina25 has suffered an injury in his left calf muscle. There will be a more detailed diagnosis tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Znt6T4ohAb
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) October 6, 2014
The former Kop favourite is yet to play a single minute of competitive action for Pep Guardiola’s side since making the £2million switch as a result of the German’s fine form.
The 32-year-old suffered a calf muscle injury in a Paulaner Cup match that is set to rule him out of action for up to four weeks, further extending his wait for his first match minutes in a Munich shirt.
Dear Fans,thank u for all your support and encouragement!Really helps me.I'll fight hard during my recovery and return stronger for you!Pepe
— Pepe Reina (@PReina25) October 8, 2014
Daniel Agger
It was a move to Brondby or nothing for one of Liverpool’s most respected players in recent years but his transfer back to boyhood club was a brutal indication of where the 29-year-old finds himself in his career currently.
A feeling that he could no longer perform to the standards required in the demanding Premier League, and differences between himself and Brendan Rodgers, according to Agger, saw the stylish centre back depart to join the Danish side, who sit 6th in the table just under half way through the season.
@DavidVaughan5 Agger wanted to leave. If he hadn't joined Brondby, he would have retired completely.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 20, 2014
Since joining the club, Agger – who wears the number 22 shirt – has made three league appearances, playing in the 1-0 defeat against FC Copenhagen, before a 2-2 draw with Esbjerg and his teams’ 2-1 victory over Aalborg.
Martin Kelly
Kelly’s transfer to Crystal Palace – then under the guidance of Tony Pulis – was a move that left many wondering what could have been for the right back had it not been for numerous injuries disrupting his early Liverpool career.
After falling down the pecking order as a result, the Whiston-born academy graduate headed to South East London to begin a new chapter in his stop-start career and it’s been an eventful one to say the least.
PICTURED: Nugent on the attack as he takes the ball past Martin Kelly #CryLei pic.twitter.com/Y2njnHenaT
— Leicester City (@LCFC) September 27, 2014
Only a day after the 24-year-old signed for the Eagles, manager Pulis resigned and Neil Warnock was subsequently appointed to take the job for his second spell in charge.
Since joining the day before the transfer window shut, Kelly has made six appearances for his new club – all coming in the Premier League and predominantly featuring at right back, with one game at left back.
So far this season Kelly has picked up one booking and claimed one assist which came in Palace’s 3-2 win against Everton at Goodison Park, where his cross was headed home by Fraizer Campbell.
GOAL Everton 1-2 Palace (54 mins) @FraizerCampbell heads home Martin Kelly's cross to put Palace into the lead #EVECRY
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 21, 2014
Connor Coady
Despite being tipped as having a bright future at Anfield, Coady departed to Championship side Huddersfield Town for a fee of around £500,000 a day before the Football League season started.
In his first month as a Terriers’ player, Coady, like Kelly, experienced a quick managerial change as Mark Robins stepped down as manager after just the first game of the season following their heavy 4-0 home defeat against Bournemouth.
Congrats to #htafc's Conor Coady who has been voted the #BWF's Player of the Month (DN) http://t.co/i6Uwjnp4U9 pic.twitter.com/PwhUTXCgLY
— Huddersfield Town (@htafc) September 3, 2014
But the month improved and the former Reds academy product picked up the Player of the Month award for August, in his first 4 weeks at the Yorkshire club, as voted by the fans and he was also handed a second Player of the Month trophy, this time by a club partner.
So far this season, the former Liverpool youngster has started 11 times for his new club and recorded two substitute appearances. On 1st October, he scored his first goal since signing, in Huddersfield’s emphatic 3-1 away win against Wolves, but it remains Coady’s only direct contribution this season to date.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPovC68Yhnw
Jack Robinson
Having signed for Premier League strugglers, QPR on a four-year contract, Robinson was immediately sent out on loan to Huddersfield Town where he has linked up with former Reds teammate, Coady on a season-long loan deal.
Jack Robinson spoke to http://t.co/MdPaFvFaY6 about a manic few days for the #htafc LB (DN) http://t.co/dnlP9R0G1B pic.twitter.com/XjhOsi3lEU
— Huddersfield Town (@htafc) August 29, 2014
The former Reds left back – has endured a mixed time since making the move north and has also played as a right back for the Championship side, now under the guidance of former Charlton and England left back, Chris Powell.
In seven starts for his loan club, Robinson has tasted victory just once, but he has helped keep two clean sheets for his side both in 0-0 draws – making 3.1 tackles per game in the process.
Defender Jack Robinson will not travel to Lithuania with the @England U21s squad due to illness. He's now returned to @htafcdotcom
— England (@England) September 4, 2014
However, the 20-year-old – who had to drop out of the England U21 squad due to illness in September after being called up – is yet to create an assist while registering just one shot from the back for the club who occupy 18th place in the Championship table.
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