All 12 Liverpool loanees featured over the last seven days, making for a positive week of action in which Sam Hart netted his first professional goal.
It would prove a bittersweet weekend for Hart, who suffered defeat but netted in Port Vale’s 3-1 loss at Bolton Wanderers.
Playing again at left midfield, a disappointing afternoon collectively still provided a moment to remember, as the 20-year-old nodded home at the back post from a corner to grab a consolation strike on 75 minutes.
That his maiden senior career goal couldn’t inspire Vale to mount a late comeback will disappoint, but netting at the Macron Stadium will always be a moment for Hart to cherish.
Jon Flanagan enjoyed another rewarding outing for Burnley, helping the Clarets to a clean sheet and a point against Manchester United—a week after featuring in a 2-1 win over Everton.
The Scouser entered just before half-time for Stephen Ward at left-back, and he slotted in well largely dealing comfortably with the pacy Marcus Rashford, but his lack of match practice showed at times.
Flanagan can count himself fortunate not to have conceded a penalty after catching Matteo Darmian as the United defender burst into the box, and he was almost punished for ball-watching at the back post in the dying seconds, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic fired over.
On a weekend of completely contrasting fortunes for the Championship goalkeepers, Adam Bogdan presented a welcome positive.
The Hungarian has been in much-improved form for Wigan Athletic recently and he continued this by posting a clean sheet, helping the Latics to a vital 1-0 win at Cardiff City.
Asked plenty of questions by the Bluebirds, Bogdan continually had the answers as he pulled off a string of impressive stops, with a strong one-handed reaction save to keep out a thunderous strike from Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson the pick of the bunch.
Bogdan’s work was rewarded as his side nicked a goal late on, and that it proved to be a winner rather than a mere consolation was all down to the Reds stopper.
In stark contrast, Danny Ward endured a nightmare on Halloween weekend as he shipped five goals in Huddersfield Town’s shock 5-0 loss at Fulham.
The Wales international could do little about any of the goals with his defence all at sea, but not even that will be a consolation for Ward as the Terriers suffered their heaviest defeat this season.
Also in the Championship, Ryan Kent enjoyed another productive outing for Barnsley, impressing in their 2-2 draw against Bristol City.
Lining up on the left wing before later switching to the right, Kent, who completed the full 90 minutes, carried a big threat with his direct dribbling and crossing.
He played a part in the move for his side’s first goal and created one great chance—bursting past his marker on the outside before sliding a teasing ball across the face of goal—but no one could convert.
The action extended across the continent with all four European loanees featuring throughout the week.
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In Portugal, Lazar Markovic‘s struggles at Sporting Lisbon continued as he failed to impress in their goalless draw against Nacional.
Markovic returned to the No. 10 role for the first time since being booed against Borussia Dortmund, but he endured an equally ineffective outing, struggling to provide creativity in the final third which resulted in his withdrawal after just 59 minutes.
In Germany, Allan Rodrigues featured twice for Hertha Berlin, kicking off with a half-hour appearance in their 2-0 DFP-Pokal win over St Pauli.
Entering at 2-0 up, the Brazilian produced a tidy performance keeping things simple in the middle of the park, and he was rewarded for his mature display with a starting place in Sunday’s Bundesliga clash with Hoffenheim.
Herthaner, lässt den Kopf nicht lange hängen! Am Freitag geht's schon wieder weiter mit #bscbmg ?? Kommt gut in die Woche ?#hahohe pic.twitter.com/LmNQJoXQY5
— Hertha BSC (@HerthaBSC) October 31, 2016
Deployed in central midfield for the duration, Allan produced a tenacious performance away from his more play-making style, and he earned praise from boss Pal Dardai for a “combative” display in which he made the most tackles of any Hertha player and picked up a booking.
Andre Wisdom returned to Red Bull Salzburg’s starting lineup for their cup clash against First Division side Floridsdorfer AC in midweek.
Wisdom completed his second full game of the season, and he turned in a solid defensive performance to help his side keep a clean sheet as they progressed with a 2-0 win.
Despite a strong showing in the cup, Wisdom dropped back to the bench and was an unused substitute in Salzburg’s 1-0 league win over Ried on Saturday.
Having popped up with a last-gasp equaliser from the bench last Sunday, Taiwo Awoniyi enjoyed a starting role in NEC Nijmegen’s 1-1 draw against Utrecht.
The teenager provided the focal point of attack but he endured a quiet afternoon, restricted to few chances or openings before making way in the final moments for ex-Arsenal man Quincy Owusu-Abeyie.
Back in the Football League, Ryan Fulton was once again in action for struggling Chesterfield, who lost 1-0 at Charlton Athletic and dropped to second-bottom in League One.
Fulton’s form has been steady despite their slump, but though he was by no means at fault for the defeat, he may feel he could have done better with the goal conceded—with a header finding the far corner of his net despite having travelled across his path.
There was positive news as Lloyd Jones returned for Swindon Town after a month out with a hip injury.
Was brilliant to see @mdoughty92, @lloydjones51 and @JordanStewart74 back in action today ? #STFC ??? pic.twitter.com/kqvGVduaO3
— Swindon Town Football Club (@Official_STFC) October 29, 2016
The centre-back started the Robins’ 4-1 loss to Scunthorpe on the bench but came on at half-time by which time his side were already 4-0 down—left to ease his way back in during a second half which saw a consolation strike earned and no further goals shipped.
There was more good news as Jack Dunn returned for League Two side Morecambe, featuring as a second-half substitute in their 3-0 loss to Exeter City.
Dunn was introduced after 52 minutes with his side already three goals down, and though he couldn’t inspire an Istanbul-like comeback, it proved a welcome runout after three weeks out with a groin issue.
Liverpool’s Loanees This Week
- Markovic – Sporting – Played 59 mins vs. Nacional
- Flanagan – Burnley – Played 46 mins vs. Man United
- Wisdom – Red Bull – Played 90 mins vs. Floridsdorfer AC. & unused sub vs. Ried
- Ward – Huddersfield – Played 90 mins vs. Fulham
- Bogdan – Wigan – Played 90 mins, keeping clean sheet vs. Cardiff
- Kent – Barnsley – Played 90 mins vs. Bristol City
- Hart – Port Vale – Played 90 mins, scoring first pro goal vs. Bolton
- Fulton – Chesterfield – Played 90 mins vs. Charlton
- Jones – Swindon – Played 45 mins vs. Scunthorpe
- Dunn – Morecambe – Played 40 mins vs. Exeter
- Awoniyi – Nijmegen – Played 90 mins vs. Utrecht
- Allan – Hertha Berlin – Played 30 mins vs. St Pauli & 90 mins vs. Hoffenheim
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