LFC Loan Watch: Luis Alberto nets two in two, while Ryan Kent “runs the show”

We take a look at how Liverpool’s loanees performed for their temporary clubs this week, including a starring La Liga role for Luis Alberto.

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Luis Alberto (Deportivo La Coruna)

After returning from a nasty ankle injury, Luis Alberto enjoyed a fantastic week of action for Deportivo La Coruna – scoring twice and claiming an assist in two games for Victor Sanchez’s side.

The creative midfielder set up the opening goal of his side’s 3-1 away win at Rayo Vallecano last Monday – his pin-point cross from left to right being headed home by Celso Borges – before scoring the second with a cool finish into the bottom corner, ruthlessly punishing a mistake in the Rayo defence.

The lively Spaniard was withdrawn just after the hour mark with his side 3-1 to the good and, after his impressive display, Alberto rightly retained his place in the Deportivo XI for their clash with Sporting Gijon on Sunday, which saw the Reds loanee net his second in as many games.

Again lining up on the left side of a three-man attacking midfield, the 23-year-old notched his side’s second to level the scores at 2-2, firing inside the near post after some nice footwork – rounding off a week of two goals and an assist in two starts.

 

Mario Balotelli (AC Milan)

CHARLOTTE, USA - Saturday, August 2, 2014: AC Milan's Mario Balotelli in action against Liverpool during the International Champions Cup Group B match at the Bank of America Stadium on day thirteen of the club's USA Tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Despite turning in a hugely impressive performance in the Milan derby last weekend, Mario Balotelli was not handed the chance to build on his game-changing showing against Palermo on Saturday night.

Balotelli was named amongst the substitutes at the San Siro as AC Milan ran out 3-2 winners for their first Serie A win of the season, playing the final 15 minutes of the match after entering in place of Luiz Adriano.

Naturally, Balotelli had little time to make an impact on the game, but in this brief spell he displayed some nice touches and worked hard, though was visibly frustrated at the final whistle at not receiving more game time – something he will hope improves next time out.

 

Sergi Canos (Brentford)

Sergi Canos was an unused substitute for Brentford in their 3-1 defeat against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, but Liverpool’s young Spaniard enjoyed a great afternoon of action at the weekend.

The 18-year-old came off the bench for his second appearance for the Bees on Saturday – making an instant impact by grabbing an assist in his sides 2-1 win over Preston, also picking up the man-of-the-match award.

Entering as a 61st-minute substitute into an attacking three, Canos – whose introduction changed the game in a fixture his side were previously trailing in – assisted Brentford’s leveller only a minute after joining, beating a pair of North End defenders before squaring for Lasse Vibe to tap home.

The Bees went on to claim victory – rounding off a perfect cameo from the bench for the Spanish midfielder, who also picked up a booking – and his contribution in swinging the game was widely acknowledged by management and supporters alike in post-match.

 

Ryan Kent (Coventry City)

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - Sunday, July 19, 2015: Liverpool's Ryan Kent during a training session at Coopers Stadium ahead of a preseason friendly match against Adelaide United on day seven of the club's preseason tour. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Attacking midfielder Ryan Kent completed his first 90 minutes for Coventry in their narrow 1-0 win against Chesterfield on Saturday afternoon, also bagging the man-of-the-match prize for an eye-catching display.

The 18-year-old started in a central attacking midfield role, and was at the centre of the Sky Blues’ attacking play, posing a dangerous outlet throughout the afternoon, leading to the opposition’s official Twitter account claiming Kent had “run the show.”

The creative youngster carved out numerous opportunities and was unlucky not to round off a stunning display by registering on the scoresheet himself – seeing a goal disallowed in stoppage time, after he rounded Chesterfield goalkeeper Tommy Lee and slotted home.

It was a fantastic display on his first start for the League One promotion hopefuls, as he made an instant impression on the Coventry faithful.

 

Danny Ward & Ryan McLaughlin (Aberdeen)

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Danny Ward and Ryan McLaughlin helped Aberdeen to a seventh straight win in midweek as they recorded a 1-0 win over Hamilton Academical to cement their place at the top of the Scottish Premier League.

It was yet another clean sheet for Ward who again impressed between the sticks, though credit too must go to team-mate McLaughlin, who played 73 minutes on his Dons debut.

The Northern Irishman joined a water-tight back four, who have only conceded twice in the first seven league games of the season, before being replaced late into the second half.

Dons No.1 Ward impressed for the table-toppers again on Sunday, helping Derek McInnes’ side to a remarkable eighth win from their opening eight league games, with a 3-1 win against Hearts.

Though he conceded – for only the third time in the league – the Wales stopper could do nothing about the goal, and enjoyed another good afternoon between the sticks where he made one superb save in particular.

McLaughlin was named amongst the substitutes for the clash, but at 3-1 with the game over and done, the full-back came on for his second appearance in the second minute of stoppage time – in a game that saw McInnes’ men maintain their five-point lead over title favourites Celtic.

 

Sheyi Ojo (Wolves)

SOFIA, BULGARIA - Wednesday, November 26, 2014: Liverpool's Oviemuno Ejaria Sheyi Ojo in action against PFC Ludogorets Razgrad during the UEFA Youth League Group B match at the Georgi Asparuhov Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

England U19 international Sheyi Ojo started for Wolves in their goalless draw on Saturday against league leaders, Brighton and Hove Albion.

Ojo – who played 68 minutes of the game before being withdrawn – operated from left midfield and didn’t enjoy the most impressive of afternoons at Molineux, turning in a subdued display before being taken off having contributed little of note.

 

Lawrence Vigouroux, Jordan Williams & Kevin Stewart (Swindon Town)

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Reds duo Lawrence Vigouroux and Jordan Williams completed 90 minutes for Swindon Town on Saturday in their 1-0 home defeat to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Burton Albion.

Despite being on the losing side and conceding, Chilean stopper Vigouroux actually endured a quiet afternoon, rarely being called into action apart from picking the ball out of his net after Stuart Beavon scored what proved to be the winner.

Lining up again at centre-back, ball-playing defender Williams was not at fault for Burton’s goal, but didn’t enjoy his best afternoon at the County Ground, where Kevin Stewart was again missing through injury after suffering ligament damage.

 

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)

Young centre-back Lloyd Jones played the full 90 minutes for Blackpool in their 1-1 draw against Barnsley on Saturday, where he turned in a solid defensive display for Neil MacDonald’s relegation-battling side.

 

Tiago Ilori (Aston Villa)

After claiming the centre-back is not yet ready for action, Villa boss Tim Sherwood again left Tiago Ilori out of match-day involvement for the Villans in their poor home defeat against Midland neighbours West Bromwich Albion.

But the Portuguese defender did play for the club’s under-21s side against Brighton the previous Monday night, completing all 90 minutes at centre-back in a 2-1 win for Villa, as he attempts to step up his fitness and availability for the first team.

 

Allan Rodriguez de Souza

Football - Liverpool FC Preseason Tour 2015 - HJK Helsinki v Liverpool FC

The Reds’ loaned Brazilian endured a frustrating afternoon for Finnish side SJK who ran out 3-1 winners against KooTooPee on Sunday.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder made his third start of the season, but was unfortunately withdrawn only eight minutes in after suffering an early injury.

 

The Rest

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)

Andre Wisdom was left out of match-day involvement for Norwich City’s draw with Liverpool at Anfield due to being ineligible to face his parent club – a frustrating feat after making his first Premier League start of the season and impressing last time out.

German striker Samed Yesil was an unused substitute for Markus Babbel’s FC Luzern in their emphatic 4-2 victory over Neuchatel Xamax on Sunday afternoon.

After only joining up for training this week with his loan club, Liverpool’s Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi was left out of FSV Frankfurt’s 1-0 away win against MSV Duisburg on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Wales international Harry Wilson watched on as an unused substitute as loan club Crewe Alexandra battled to a 1-0 away win at newly promoted Shrewsbury.

Finally, young left-back Joe Maguire was again an unused substitute for loan club Leyton Orient on Saturday – in their 1-1 home draw against fellow promotion chasers Wycombe.