CHARLOTTE, USA - Friday, August 1, 2014: Liverpool's goalkeeper Danny Ward during a training session at the Bank of America Stadium on day twelve of the club's USA Tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool Loan Watch: 2015/16 Preview – Where 8 Reds Will Spend The Season

With the new season just days away, we take a look at where the loaned members of the Liverpool squad have moved to and what each player can expect for the campaign.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, February 18, 2015: The Liverpool FC badge during a press conference ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 1st leg match against Besiktas JK at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) (General Pic)

There’s still three weeks of the transfer window remaining, but already the Reds have loaned out eight players for the coming season.

Most of those who have departed temporarily have been presented with the invaluable opportunity for competitive minutes in a first team environment.

For others, it’s a chance to impress and return to Anfield in the hope of breaking through, or even to put themselves in the shop window.

But regardless of reasoning behind a move away, all have the same desire to impress at their new clubs.

Here we look at who will be doing that and where this season.

 

Danny Ward – Aberdeen

CHARLOTTE, USA - Friday, August 1, 2014: Liverpool's goalkeeper Danny Ward during a training session at the Bank of America Stadium on day twelve of the club's USA Tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Despite a season of first team involvement, Ward failed to make a senior appearance as back-up to Simon Mignolet and Brad Jones last year.

He played only five senior games in a brief loan spell at Morecambe alongside U21 matches.

This season however, the academy graduate will get much needed minutes at a higher level under his belt, with Scottish side Aberdeen, who he joined on a season-long loan.

Ward is set for a prominent role too at Pittodrie, after immediately being made the clubs first choice ‘keeper on arrival.

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The Welsh stopper has impressed in five appearances in the Dons’ Europa League qualifying campaign, as well as opening the SPL season with a good display and clean sheet, earning plaudits from manager Derek McInnes instantly.

The Dons finished runners-up in the Scottish Premiership last season and will be looking to go one better this year.

The consistency of Ward’s displays could be crucial to that happening.

 

Andre Wisdom – Norwich

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 20, 2012: Liverpool's Andre Wisdom in action against Reading during the Premiership match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

After signing a new contract at Anfield, Wisdom linked up with Norwich for a second Premier League season-long loan with Alex Neil’s newly promoted side.

Having joined late into the pre-season schedule, Wisdom played only 30 minutes in the first friendly he was available to take part in – Norwich’s 2-1 win over Brentford last weekend – when he came on at right back.

Wisdom endured a mixed season at West Brom last year, featuring heavily in the first half of the season before barely playing from January onwards.

The 22-year-old looks likely to feature at right-back again with City well covered at centre back, but he faces a battle to dislodge experienced Scotland international and regular pick, Stephen Whittaker.

However, Wisdom’s added pace and power alongside his forward threat could see him take the right-back slot, where with any luck, he can enjoy a full season of match action.

 

Sheyi OjoWolves

Football - Liverpool FC Preseason Tour 2015 - Swindon Town FC v Liverpool FC

The talented teenager committed his long-term future to the Reds before heading immediately to Championship club, Wolves, for the campaign.

Joining just days before the start of the new season, Ojo is yet to feature for the Molineux outfit, but has made no secret of his desire to impress upon arrival with the possibility of doing that this weekend against Blackburn.

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The 18-year-old joins a strong squad under Kenny Jackett – one geared for a promotion push – and Ojo is likely to provide support to prolific strike pairing Benik Afobe and Nouha Dicko.

Versatile with the ability to play in midfield, wide, or up front, Ojo is nailed on to surpass the 11 Champions appearances he made at Wigan Athletic last season, but is likely to be primarily a talented back-up option in a strong squad.

 

Luis Alberto – Deportivo La Coruna

OSLO, NORWAY - Wednesday, August 7, 2013: Liverpool's Luis Alberto in action against Valerenga during a preseason friendly match at the Ullevaal Stadion. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Alberto has returned to Spain for a second season-long loan move, this time with Deportivo La Coruna.

The attacking midfielder will be hopeful for a more productive loan spell with his new club, after a largely uninspiring last season with Malaga where he failed to establish himself.

Having been deemed surplus to requirements at Anfield, it’s a chance for the 23-year-old to impress in La Liga and drum up interest for a permanent move from Merseyside, with his Liverpool career all but over.

Alberto has made a promising start scoring his first goal for the club, and he impressed on Deportivo’s brief tour of the UK despite playing in two goalless draws against Huddersfield Town and Swansea.

Victor Sanchez’s side survived relegation by three points last season, but with Alberto’s assistance as he looks to reboot his career, will be looking for a more comfortable 2015/16 campaign. [td_ad_box spot_id=“custom_ad_3″]

 

Lloyd Jones – Blackpool

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 4, 2014: Liverpool's Lloyd Jones during a training session at Melwood Training Grounds ahead of the UEFA Champions League Group B match against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

After joining on an initial short-term deal in July, Jones turned his move into a season-long switch after impressing quickly at the League One side.

It’s a surprising move though, with Blackpool a club seemingly in turmoil on and off the pitch but it’s a chance for the centre back to progress and play consistently at a higher level after gaining experience in League Two last season.

The Tangerines boast only a small squad of 19 players currently, and with only six defenders on the books, Jones faces the prospect of playing a vital role in Blackpool’s battle against the drop.

https://twitter.com/lloydjones51/status/627438136327581696

Promisingly the 19-year-old has made a solid start having completed three of their last four pre-season friendlies, and he’s in line to start this weekend’s season opener at Colchester.

A tough season lies ahead for Neil MacDonald’s men, but a season in a testing environment will prove an invaluable experience for the young defender.

 

Jordan Williams, Kevin Stewart & Lawrence Vigouroux – Swindon Town

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK - Wednesday, July 16, 2014: Liverpool's Kevin Stewart makes his debut against Brondby IF during a preseason friendly match at Brøndby Stadion. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Williams was the first of three Reds to join the League One outfit for the season, before being joined by teammates Stewart and Vigouroux.

The moves to the County Ground are certainly good for the young trio, who will fit in well with Mark Cooper’s young squad at a club where a reputation for progression of young players has become well known.

The versatility of outfielders Williams and Stewart in being able to play midfield and in defence will see the pair well positioned for promising amounts of match action.

Williams – a natural midfielder – started at centre back for the Robins in last Sunday’s friendly against his Anfield teammates, while Stewart operated in midfield in Liverpool’s 2-1 win.

The duo will be hopeful of retaining their shirts in the starting XI for the season ahead, starting with the opening day clash against Bradford.

https://twitter.com/LawrenceV93/status/628943879153287168

Vigouroux – who impressed in a brief trial before following his U21 teammates to Wiltshire – looks set to become the clubs No.1, and hopefully he can impress similarly at the County Ground to fellow stopper Danny Ward.

Cooper’s side reached the play-off final last campaign – enjoying a great season playing attractive football – and will be looking for a similarly successful campaign, though this time hopeful of going one better.

 

More

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Thursday, April 30, 2015: Liverpool's Ryan Kent celebrates scoring the first goal against Everton during the Under 21 FA Premier League match at Goodison Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Also expected to head out on loan is 18-year-old attacking midfielder Ryan Kent, with a move to a Championship side expected.

It’s also been suggested that new signing Allan Rodrigues de Souza will take a temporary move, which would help with his work permit.

Another who could leave on loan is striker Jerome Sinclair, if his contract dispute can be resolved.

And, of course, it’s quite likely that Liverpool will have to settle with loaning out Mario Balotelli late in the window if/when no club takes him on a permanent deal.

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As ever, we’ll have regular loan watch updates throughout the season.

TIA 2015/16 Season Preview