We take a look at how the loaned members of the Liverpool squad fared for their temporary clubs, with a very positive week for the loanees.
Marko Grujic rounded off his final spell as a Red Star Belgrade player in spectacular fashion – by winning the Serbian SuperLiga with his boyhood club this week.
The powerful midfielder unfortunately missed his side’s 1-0 win over Vozdovac on Tuesday which sealed the title through suspension, but returned to play his part for the champions on Saturday, scoring a fine solo effort in their 3-1 loss to Vojvodina.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=0g4S6_lQYRE
Captaining his team, Grujic stepped up to score a brilliant equaliser as his side trailed 1-0, strongly winning a 50/50 challenge before delightfully nut-megging a defender, driving into the box and curling a fine finish into the far corner of the net for his sixth goal of the season.
The fine solo strike capped off a memorable week for the midfielder, who Jurgen Klopp will certainly be excited to welcome into his squad for next season.
In Spain, Luis Alberto helped Deportivo La Coruna to La Liga safety on Sunday, claiming a crucial assist in their impressive 2-0 win away at Villarreal.
Starting on the left side of midfield in Depor’s altered 4-1-4-1 formation, the Reds loanee nearly made a crucial breakthrough himself early on, only to see his well-struck volley hit the foot of the post with Yellow Submarine stopper Mariano Barbosa beaten.
But the 23-year-old did go on to help seal a huge three points for his side in the second period.
Alberto showed good tenacity to win the ball on the touchline deep in his own half, from where he launched a powerful, drilled ball forward – cutting two defenders out of the game – to find teammate Lucas who latched onto the pass and finished superbly.
It was a key impact from the attacking midfielder, who registered his eighth assist of the season to help end a run of seven games without a win at the perfect time.
Elsewhere in Europe, after failing to build on his solitary league goal Taiwo Awoniyi dropped to the bench for Frankfurt’s costly bottom-of-the-table defeat to Dusseldorf on Sunday.
The Nigerian was introduced 15 minutes from time with his side trailing 1-0, but with time against the striker, Awoniyi couldn’t make the telling impact hoped, powerless to prevent his side slipping to a sixth straight defeat that leaves them languishing in the relegation zone.
Despite a tough first season in European football, moments of promise appear to not have gone unnoticed; with the Sporting Director of Swedish club Kalmar stating the club are already negotiating a loan move with Liverpool for the teenager for next season.
In Italy, Mario Balotelli dropped back to the AC Milan bench for the trip to Bologna on Saturday, despite his influential display last time out, and that is where the striker stayed for the duration of their 1-0 Serie A victory.
Allan Rodrigues’ loan spell at Sint Truidense finished in disappointing fashion this weekend, with the Brazilian left out of matchday involvement for their final day 3-0 loss to Charleroi.
It brings an end to an unproductive spell for the 19-year-old, who made only nine appearances and failed to post a single contribution in the way of goals or assists after joining the Belgian side in January.
Samed Yesil’s unimpressive loan spell at Luzern continues with the German once again enduring a week of little game time.
Named on the bench for his side’s trip to Vaduz, the striker came on a minute after the winner was scored for the final three minutes, naturally having little time to make an impact on proceedings.
In the Football League, Lloyd Jones was uninvolved for Blackpool for their final league game against Peterborough which saw the Tangerine’s relegated to League Two after a 5-1 loss.
Winger Sergi Canos signed off his Brentford loan in style, with a goal after just 20 seconds against Huddersfield Town, and a second half assist. More on that here.
Canos has also been awarded Brentford‘s goal of the season for his strike at Reading in December:
Ryan Fulton missed Portsmouth’s last league fixture due to an on-going thigh problem, but the Scottish Under-21 ‘keeper will be hopeful of recovering in time to feature in Pompey’s upcoming League Two play-off games against Plymouth.
In League One, Lawrence Vigouroux’s loan spell at Swindon also came to an end this weekend, with the stopper missing their final day 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury through injury.
https://twitter.com/LawrenceV93/status/727884497996353537
It has been a productive season at the County Ground for the Chilean stopper, injury aside, however, as he made 36 appearances in all competitions, keeping five clean sheets.
Sadly that hasn’t been the case for Reds’ teammate Jordan Williams also in Wiltshere, with the young midfielder’s season ruined by injury. He made just 10 appearances, scoring one goal.
Liverpool’s Loanees in Action This Week
- Balotelli – AC Milan – Unused sub vs. Bologna
- Alberto – Deportivo – Played 85mins & assisted vs. Villarreal
- Grujic – Red Star – Won Serbian league title & played 90mins and scored vs. Vojvodina
- Canos – Brentford – Played 69mins & scored and assisted vs. Huddersfield
- Awoniyi – Frankfurt – Played 15mins vs. Dusseldorf
- Yesil – Luzern – Played 3mins vs. Vaduz
- Allan – Sint Truidense – Left out of matchday squad vs. Charleroi
- Jones – Blackpool – Left out of matchday squad vs. Peterborough
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