There were only three of Liverpool’s 16 loanees in action this weekend due to a combination of injuries, being out of favour, postponements, and winter breaks.
Luis Alberto was this week’s big positive, with the Spanish midfielder continuing his good form for Deportivo La Coruna by netting in the second of two games over the week for Victor Sanchez’s side,
Prior to the game in which he found the net, the Spaniard started his third game in a row and played 70 minutes in Depor’s last fixture of 2015 that ended in a goalless draw against Getafe.
https://twitter.com/MoarFootball/status/682302500834271232
The Reds loanee started in his usual role on the left of the attack but turned in a quiet performance by his recent high standards, struggling to impose himself on the game which resulted in his early withdrawal on the night.
An #LFC midfielder making a run into the box to score? Luis Alberto's goal for Deportivo. pic.twitter.com/qbq4baBTD4
— James Nalton (@JDNalton) January 3, 2016
Despite a quiet performance last time out, Alberto’s importance to the Depor side saw him keep his place in the XI for Sunday’s last gasp 2-1 home loss against Villarreal, with the attacking midfielder continuing his good form and scoring his side’s goal on the night.
https://twitter.com/MoarFootball/status/683714778456539136
Arriving into the box and acres of space with a well-timed run, the Spaniard coolly slotted home Lucas’ ball across from close range to draw Deportivo level just three minutes into the second half.
And Alberto turned in another good all-round display – despite picking up a booking which rules him out of the game against Real Madrid – before being withdrawn after 78 minutes with the scores still level as Sanchez introduced fresh legs to his side.
Ryan Kent played the last of 17 games for Coventry on Saturday as the youngster prepares to return to Anfield following his recall by Jurgen Klopp.
Good luck @ryankent_10 back at @LFC. You've played a big part in our season so far and good luck for the future! pic.twitter.com/SYhe2WDmx0
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) January 2, 2016
The teenager started on the bench with the Sky Blues bracing themselves for his absence, and he played only the final 19 minutes of City’s 5-0 demolition of bottom-of-the-table, Crewe, replacing ex-Red, Joe Cole, on the right of the three man attack with his side already 4-0 up.
Kent had little time to make an impact on his final outing with the game already done and dusted before his introduction, but his impact during his stay was highlighted with praise coming from the club, fans, and local media alike, prompting the young prospect to tweet his gratitude.
https://twitter.com/ryankent_10/status/683345423839444996
Sergi Canos celebrated extending his loan at Brentford with a return to the starting XI, but he couldn’t find a performance or result to match as his Bees side went down 2-1 to Birmingham on Saturday.
The Spaniard played 80 minutes of the loss in his usual right side role of the three man attack, and on an indifferent afternoon, produced some positive moments in flashes but ultimately couldn’t make the telling impact, resulting in his withdrawal 10 minutes from time.
His failure to hit recent heights in the game certainly didn’t prevent the Bees faithful showing their appreciation for Canos, with the Spaniard receiving his own song throughout for his stunning goal against Reading last time out.
"heeeeeey Sergi Canos… Oh ha… I wanna knowooooowww… How you scored that goal"
— Beesotted Brentford (@Beesotted) January 2, 2016
In the Premier League, Andre Wisdom missed Norwich’s 1-0 victory over Southampton through injury but is closing in on a return, while Tiago Ilori was unsurprisingly left out of matchday involvement as Aston Villa lost a ‘six-pointer’ with Sunderland as speculation mounts that his loan will be cut short.
Despite returning to action last time out for Wolves after six games left out of the matchday squad, Sheyi Ojo was once again frustrated in his quest for game time, dropping back out of Kenny Jackett’s squad for their 1-0 away win against Brighton on New Years’ Day.
It was a weekend of no action for loaned goalkeepers Danny Ward and Lawrence Vigouroux, who both saw their respective games against St Johnstone and Port Vale postponed due to waterlogged pitches.
https://twitter.com/dan_ward52/status/683607229082243072
Meanwhile, academy product, Will Marsh, was left out of Sheffield Wednesday’s first team win over Fulham on Saturday, and the youngster faces a wait for action with the club’s next U21 fixture not until January 11th against city rivals, United.
And finally, Lazar Markovic enjoys a small break with Fenerbache without a game until January 10th, while strikers Samed Yesil and Taiwo Awoniyi continue to their winter respites in Switzerland and Germany respectively, with neither returning to competitive action until February
Liverpool’s loaned men this week
- Alberto – Deportivo – Played 70mins vs. Getafe & 78mins vs. Villarreal
- Canos – Brentford – Played 80mins vs. Birmingham
- Kent – Coventry – Played 19mins vs. Crewe
- Markovic – Fenerbache – N/A, next game 10th January
- Ilori – Aston Villa – Left out of matchday squad
- Ojo – Wolves – Left out of matchday squad
- Ward – Aberdeen – N/A, game vs. St Johnstone postponed
- Vigouroux – Swindon – N/A, game vs. Port Vale postponed
- Marsh – Sheffield Wednesday – Left out of matchday squad & no U21 game
- Yesil & Awoniyi – Luzern & Frankfurt FSV – Winter break
Injuries
Andre Wisdom nears a comeback from injury as does Mario Balotelli after three months out, but Swindon loaned men Jordan Williams and Kevin Stewart, and Blackpool defender Lloyd Jones all remain side-lined.
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