We take a look at how Liverpool’s nine loanees fared for their temporary clubs throughout the week, with a busy and productive seven days of action for the borrowed men.
It was a week to remember for young striker, Jack Dunn, who netted a brilliant four goals in two games for Morecambe.
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— Jack Dunn ? (@Jackdunny94) August 11, 2016
Sparking to life in midweek after a quiet debut last weekend, Dunn netted a sensational hat-trick in an incredible 5-4 victory over Championship side, Rotherham, in the League Cup, which you can read more about here.
After such an impact, Dunn returned to the starting XI on Saturday for the local derby with Blackpool, in which the youngster picked up from where he left off to score again in his side’s second victory in four days.
Dunn equalised with another well-taken penalty – setting his side perfectly for the second half in which they found a winner, but equally important was his impressive all-round display, capping off a fantastic five days.
Though without the prolific goal return, it was a similarly positive week for Ryan Kent.
https://twitter.com/ryankent/status/764519546078236672
Kent started his side’s League Cup 2-1 extra-time loss to Northampton on the bench, but entered to play an hour overall, producing a bright display despite being unable to provide the inspiration to fire his side to round two.
But the impressive sub appearance saw him restored to the XI and played on the right wing against Derby on Saturday.
Kent shone as his team posted a 2-0 win over the promotion chasers, assisting the first goal of the afternoon with a strong run inside and neat lay-off, which Connor Hourihane rifled in off the post.
And the Reds loanee nearly added a goal of his own to cap off a positive week – but his drilled strike cannoned back off the post after his own jinky run and neat foot-work created the opportunity.
There was a midweek of frustration and weekend of jubilation for each of the three loaned goalkeepers.
Danny Ward suffered his first loss of the season in the League Cup on Tuesday night, conceding twice in a 2-1 loss to Shrewsbury Town.
He could do little about the deflected effort that beat him in the first-half, but the Welshman will certainly feel he should have done better with the match-winner – allowing a weak shot through his hands and into the net.
But Ward bounced back positively on Saturday, helping Huddersfield to a brilliant 2-1 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park.
The young stopper was in fine form against Rafael Benitez’s promotion favourites, making a number of saves to keep the home side at bay – including from Jonjo Shelvey’s free-kick.
And Ward can count himself unlucky to have conceded – superbly saving Dwight Gayle’s penalty only for the Magpies’ striker to finish the rebound – but his good work proved vital as Huddersfield scored a late winner to make it two league wins from two.
Similar fortunes played out for Adam Bogdan at Wigan.
The Hungarian dropped to the bench for Tuesday’s League Cup exit to Oldham, but – showing that he’s No.1 at the DW Stadium – he returned to the XI on Saturday against Blackburn.
And it proved a perfect comeback for Bogdan on his home debut, keeping a clean sheet on a comfortable afternoon as his side breezed to a 3-0 victory.
Ryan Fulton made it a hat-trick of cup exits for the ‘keepers, unable to prevent a 3-1 loss to Rochdale, though he could do little about any of the goals with some questionable defending in front of him culminating in his first loss of the season.
However, Fulton and his side responded in perfect fashion on Saturday, recording a same score-line win over Swindon, in which the Scottish youngster was rarely troubled, aside from the late consolation strike he was powerless to stop.
Lloyd Jones didn’t feature in that game against his Reds teammate – deemed not fit to travel – but the centre-back enjoyed his first action for his new club in midweek, playing 90 minutes of Swindon’s extra-time League Cup loss to QPR.
Jones hobbled off at the end of 90 minutes with a knock – the likely factor that prevented him facing Fulton’s team.
https://twitter.com/lloydjones51/status/763494161047752704
Jon Flanagan was another not to feature this weekend, with the full-back left out of Burnley’s squad for their opening 1-0 loss to Swansea at Turf Moor due to a lack of match fitness.
For Liverpool’s European based loanees, Allan Rodrigues featured in Hertha Berlin’s final pre-season friendly against Napoli – playing the second half of his sides 4-1 loss to the Serie A runners’-up.
And finally, Taiwo Awoniyi officially joined up with Dutch side NEC Nijmegen this weekend, but he watched their Eredivisie 2-2 draw against Go Ahead Eagles from the stands, left hoping to be involved next Saturday against Heerenveen.
Liverpool’s Loaned Men This Week
- Ward – Played 90 mins vs. Shrewsbury & Newcastle
- Bogdan – Unused sub vs. Oldham & played 90mins, keeping clean sheet vs. Blackburn
- Kent – Played 60mins vs. Northampton & 90 mins, posting assist vs. Derby
- Fulton – Played 90 mins vs. Rochdale & Swindon
- Jones – Played 90mins vs. QPR & unavailable vs. Chesterfield
- Dunn – Played 60 mins, scoring three vs. Rotherham & 88 mins, scoring once vs. Blackpool
- Allan – Played 45 mins vs. Napoli
- Flanagan – Not in squad
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