Awoniyi assists as Grujic hits impressive form – Liverpool FC Loan Watch

Taiwo Awoniyi posted another assist while Marko Grujic was in impressive form on another productive week for Liverpool’s loanees away from Anfield.

The borrowed Reds followed up the most productive week of the campaign with another solid spell of action.

Eleven loanees featured, but Ovie Ejaria missed out through injury while Lazar Markovic, Sheyi Ojo, Jon Flanagan, Connor Randall and Andy Firth were unused.

The Reds involved were largely in positive form and here’s how they fared.

 

Awoniyi continued his fine form with another assist…

Mouscron's Michael Awoniyi celebrates after scoring during the Jupiler Pro League match between Sporting Lokeren and Royal Excel Mouscron, in Lokeren, Saturday 12 August 2017, on the third day of the Jupiler Pro League, the Belgian soccer championship season 2017-2018. BELGA PHOTO VIRGINIE LEFOUR

Awoniyi was the man of the moment again as he followed up the performance of his youthful career with another influential display.

The Nigerian laid on an assist in Royal Excel Mouscron’s 2-2 draw with Waasland-Beveren as he continues to show his undeniable development on his third loan in Europe.

Awoniyi crafted his side’s first goal with a fine piece of individual work—using his pace and power to breeze past three players before teeing up Dorin Rotariu who struck to make it 1-1.

The assist—which you can see here—was Awoniyi’s sixth this campaign, and with seven goals also to his name it’s fair to say he is enjoying a fantastic season.

 

Grujic also impressed for Cardiff…

Cardiff City's Marko Grujic ( Steve Paston/EMPICS Sport)

After a steady opening at Cardiff Grujic has started to show his class and did so this week with two excellent performances.

The first of those saw the Serbian impress with a dominant display in a 2-0 win over Bolton, with local media labelling Grujic a “real lynchpin in the middle of the park” in the victory.

And Grujic followed that display with another commanding outing in a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough, capping off an excellent week both for the 21-year-old and his team.

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Grujic again operated as Cardiff’s defensive shield and he did a fine job breaking up play to help post a second successive clean sheet.

But, pleasingly, Grujic’s playmaking abilities also caught the eye as he pulled the strings for the Bluebirds to control an important victory.

 

One Red had a Friday night of mixed fortunes…

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Sunday, October 29, 2017: Liverpool's Harry Wilson during the Under-23 FA Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Harry Wilson made his second start for Hull in a 4-0 FA Cup loss at Chelsea, and the Wales international had a topsy-turvy evening.

Positively, Wilson was the Tigers’ brightest spark and for the second game running he won a penalty with some nice trickery which, also for the second game in a row, was missed.

Sadly though, that early second-half contribution was Wilson’s last of the night as he was subbed straight after having injured his shoulder when fouled by Cesc Fabregas for the spot-kick.

Hull boss Nigel Adkins confirmed there was thankfully no dislocation, and he will hope Wilson, who has hit the ground running with the Championship side, makes a speedy recovery.

 

Eight other Reds enjoyed game time…

Wolfsburg's Divock Origi ahead of the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and Hanover 96 in the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg, Germany, 9 September 2017. Photo: Silas Stein/dpa

Divock Origi played all of Wolfsburg’s 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich on Saturday, but had a predictably tough night against the champions—summed up by his failure to fire a single shot at goal.

Ryan Kent made his fourth successive start in Bristol City’s 2-2 draw at Leeds on Sunday, but the winger disappointed at Elland Road where he was consistently wasteful in his play.

Pedro Chirivella remains a key figure at Willem II and enjoyed another full game in a 2-1 loss to ADO Den Haag on Saturday, but the Spaniard was in quiet form as he lacked his usual influence.

Allan Rodrigues entered Apollon Limassol’s lineup for the midweek cup tie against Othellos, but couldn’t prevent his side exiting after a 1-0 loss in what was his only outing.

New signing Anderson Arroyo made a second successive start and completed his first full game for Real Mallorca B in a 1-1 draw against Santanyi.

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Saturday, November 18, 2017: Liverpool's captain Corey Whelan celebrates scoring the second goal during the Under-23 FA Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool and Everton at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Corey Whelan enjoyed another positive week at Yeovil Town, playing back-to-back full games.

The first of those saw Whelan in strong defensive form to help keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Barnet, in which he would have scored his second goal for the club had it not been for a goal-line clearance.

It was a less successful outing on Saturday as Whelan, who operated at right-back, and his team-mates suffered a heavy 4-1 loss to Stevenage.

Also in League Two, Matty Virtue made one outing for Notts County, playing the closing stages of a goalless draw with Newport.

Finally, Daniel Sturridge endured a torrid time at West Brom as he picked up a calf injury within three minutes of a 3-0 loss to Chelsea last Monday, which is expected to keep him out for the next two games.

 

Keita Update

RB Leipzig - Porto / Fussball Champions League Leipzig, 17.10.2017, Red Bull Arena, Fussball, UEFA Champions League, Gruppe G, 3.Spieltag , Rasenballsport Leipzig vs. FC Porto , Im Bild; Naby Keita (8, RB Leipzig) , *** RB Leipzig Porto Football Champions League Leipzig 17 10 2017 Red Bull Arena Football UEFA Champions League Group G 3 Matchday Lawn ball sport Leipzig vs FC Porto in Picture Naby Keita 8 RB Leipzig.

Keita was in typically impressive form as RB Leipzig kicked off their first-ever Europa League adventure with a 3-1 win at Serie A leaders Napoli.

The Guinean was very much at the heart of a polished away display from the Bundesliga side, as he dominated midfield with an excellent all-round performance.

While catching the eye offensively as he posted four dribbles, one key pass and two shots on target, Keita also recorded 21 possession recoveries—the most from a Bundesliga player in a European game since 2010.

That was Keita’s only outing, but he could feature on Monday night when Leipzig face Eintracht Frankfurt, which you can see live on BT Sport 3, kicking off at 7.30pm.


Liverpool’s Loanees This Week

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 31, 2018: West Bromwich Albion's Daniel Sturridge during the FA Premier League match between Manchester City FC and West Bromwich Albion FC at the City of Manchester Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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