Liverpool FC Loan Watch Progress Report – How are the 12 loanees faring away from Anfield?

Jurgen Klopp allowed a number of first-team and youth players to leave Anfield on loan last summer, but how have they fared so far this season?

Twelve Reds departed on temporary moves in the summer transfer window, heading to various clubs throughout the Football League and across the continent.

Moving in search of regular first-team football that wouldn’t have been forthcoming at Anfield, fortunes have been contrasting for each loanee, but positively, regular match action has sufficed for most.

Here’s how each player is faring, with Welsh goalkeeper Danny Ward particularly impressive so far.

 

Lazar Markovic (Sporting CP)

SANTA CLARA, USA - Saturday, July 30, 2016: Liverpool's Lazar Markovic in action against AC Milan during the International Champions Cup 2016 game on day ten of the club's USA Pre-season Tour at the Levi's Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

After failing to earn a place in Klopp’s squad, Markovic joined Sporting CP for the season.

Playing under Jorge Jesus in Portugal was expected rekindle the form that persuaded Liverpool to sign the Serbian from Benfica—but it has not gone to plan.

Markovic has struggled at Estadio Jose Alvalade, where he has played wide left and right, as a No. 10 and even as a second striker.

Scoring twice in 10 appearances—including four starts—may offer encouragement, but his form has disappointed to the extent that he was booed by Sporting’s fans against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Things have gone from bad to worse for Markovic since, with Jesus dropping him from the matchday squad against Arouca before the international break—despite being fit.

It’s certainly been a tough start and improvement is needed from the 22-year-old.

 

Jon Flanagan (Burnley)

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 20, 2016: John Flanagan arrives ahead of Liverpools game against Burnley in the FA Premier League match at Turf Moore. (Pic by Gavin Trafford/Propaganda)

Having made a welcome comeback from long-term injury, Klopp allowed “our boy” to join Burnley for the first-team football needed to aid his recovery.

But regular action hasn’t arrived and Flanagan has had to remain patient, with Clarets boss Sean Dyche insisting the full-back is “enjoying” his loan despite limited playing time.

Flanagan had featured just once in the League Cup until recent injury to Stephen Ward presented opportunity for the Scouser, who has subsequently made three Premier League appearances.

In those, the 23-year-old helped earn a dramatic win over Everton and goalless draw away to Manchester United—results Flanno will have enjoyed as much as us.

 

Andre Wisdom (Red Bull Salzburg)

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 20, 2016: Liverpool's Andre Wisdom in action against Huddersfield Town during pre-season friendly match at the John Smithís Stadium. (Pic by Paul Greenwood/Propaganda)

After three consecutive seasons loaned out it seemed Wisdom would exit Anfield once and for all this summer.

But another temporary move followed, this time to Austrian Bundesliga side Red Bull Salzburg—with Wisdom assessing that “it’s a good opportunity to learn a different culture and a different style of play.”

He has endured mixed fortunes so far, impressing when featuring but seeing game time restricted due to a hamstring injury which kept him sidelined for three weeks.

Wisdom has therefore played just five times at centre- or right-back, making three starts, and he has helped earn two clean sheets—including an impressive shutout in victory over French league leaders OGC Nice in Europe.

Now fit again, Wisdom will hope to make further progress in Salzburg.

 

Danny Ward (Huddersfield Town)

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, January 13, 2016: Liverpool's goalkeeper Daniel Ward warms-up before the Premier League match against Arsenal at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

With Loris Karius and Simon Mignolet vying for Anfield’s No. 1 shirt, Ward joined Huddersfield to continue his development under Klopp’s close friend David Wagner.

It is proving an excellent move for the Welshman, who has played every game for the Terriers, helping them to third place in the Championship table.

Ward, who has conceded 18 goals in 16 league games, has impressed in Yorkshire, with his distribution and shot-stopping catching the eye as he’s kept four clean sheets.

Ward recently spoke of using this spell to earn a long-term future at Anfield, and if he continues to impress he has every chance.

 

Adam Bogdan (Wigan Athletic)

WATFORD, ENGLAND - Sunday, December 20, 2015: Liverpool's goalkeeper Adam Bogdan warms up before the Premier League match against Watford at Vicarage Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Bogdan’s Championship move came in different circumstances to Ward, with the Hungarian surplus to requirements at Anfield.

But moving to Wigan has proved similarly fruitful, with Bogdan becoming the Latics’ No. 1 and playing every league game.

Bogdan’s fortunes have been less impressive than his counterpart, however, with the stopper producing inconsistent form so far, which included a costly howler against Norwich City.

But the 29-year-old has settled well after early struggles to produce better form—keeping five clean sheets despite seeing his side slip to 22nd place in the table.

 

Ryan Kent (Barnsley)

WIGAN, ENGLAND - Sunday, July 17, 2016: Liverpool's Ryan Kent in action against Wigan Athletic during a pre-season friendly match at the DW Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Kent completed a hat-trick of moves to the Championship when he joined Barnsley on a season-long loan.

His time at Oakwell has proved productive so far, with the 19-year-old impressively featuring in every game to date, playing either on the right or left wing.

Kent has impressed with his dribbling and crossing ability in 17 outings, but has scored only once—a stunner against Rotherham United—something he has admitted needs to improve.

Positively, Kent seems primed to play a prominent role in Barnsley’s campaign, which offers promise for his Anfield future.

 

Taiwo Awoniyi (NEC Nijmegen)

Taiwo Awoniyi

The relatively unknown Nigerian is on his second European loan, plying his trade at Eredivisie outfit NEC Nijmegen.

The move has been one of mixed fortunes, with Awoniyi enjoying regular action but struggling to impact with the performances and goals he would like on the first-team stage—having netted a hat-trick in his sole reserve league appearance.

The teenager has scored just once in nine outings—five starts—but it was a crucial, if dubious, effort in the derby against Vitesse Arnhem which will hopefully inspire confidence and better form.

Manager Peter Hyballa has stuck by Awoniyi and hopefully he finds goalscoring form to justify the faith shown.

 

Allan Rodrigues (Hertha Berlin)

Football - Liverpool FC Preseason Tour 2015 - HJK Helsinki v Liverpool FC

Liverpool’s youngest Brazilian talent has continued his development with Hertha Berlin, forced into a third loan move in bid to secure a work permit.

Stepping up in one Europe’s top leagues is presenting a good test for Allan, and he has shown positive signs despite being limited to just two starts and seven appearances overall.

When featuring, he has impressed with his technical play and is visibly improving his physicality, which will be needed for the Premier League stage Klopp foresees him enjoying.

Allan will hope for more match action, but positive progress is being made as he bids to secure a long-term Anfield future.

 

Ryan Fulton (Chesterfield)

ST HELENS, ENGLAND - Monday, September 28, 2015: Liverpool's goalkeeper Ryan Fulton before the Under 21 FA Premier League match against Leicester City at Langtree Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Fulton has made the step up to League One level with Chesterfield, and has settled well—playing all but one game since joining.

It has been far from plain sailing though, with the Spireites struggling in second-bottom place—but this has at least provided plenty of practice for the 20-year-old.

Clean sheets have been hard to come by—Fulton keeping just two in 18 outings so far—but despite his team’s poor form, his own performance has remained solid overall.

With a relegation battle ahead, a good test of character awaits the ‘keeper and he will benefit from the experience as the season unfolds.

 

Lloyd Jones (Swindon Town)

ANFIELD, ENGLAND - Friday, May 2, 2014: Liverpool's captain Lloyd Jones takes a drink during the Under 21 FA Premier League Semi-Final match against Manchester United at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Jones also headed to League One, joining Swindon for the season, and so far mixed fortunes have played out.

A hip injury has disrupted the 20-year-old finding top form, but when featuring he has been largely positive—though he did made a costly error in the Robins’ FA Cup draw with Eastleigh.

Featuring either centrally or on the left of a back three, Jones has played 11 times and scored two goals—the first a glancing header against Bristol Rovers, followed by a close-range finish against Charlton Athletic.

Now moving towards full match sharpness, the centre-back will look to push on from here.

 

Sam Hart (Port Vale)

MAINZ, GERMANY - Sunday, August 7, 2016: Liverpool's Sam Hart in action against FSV Mainz 05 during a pre-season friendly match at the Opel Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

After making his non-competitive Reds debut against Mainz 05 in pre-season, Hart moved to Port Vale for the first loan of his career.

He barely featured early on but has enjoyed increasingly regular action as the season has unfolded—though most of this has come at left midfield rather than his natural left-back position, where he’s played only twice.

Despite this, Hart has offered a reliable and hardworking outlet in his nine outings, and has claimed one assist so far while also netting his first professional goal with a header against Bolton Wanderers.

Hart has grown into his maiden loan promisingly, and hopefully he enjoys regular action in his proper position at some stage.

 

Jack Dunn (Morecambe)

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND - Wednesday, August 19, 2015: Liverpool's Jack Dunn in action against Everton during the Under 21 FA Premier League match at Haig Avenue. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Dunn made his first loan move for 18 months when he joined Morecambe until January.

It’s proved a rewarding spell so far, with Dunn featuring 18 times, scoring six goals and claiming an assist for the Shrimps.

Five of those strikes came in a blistering start to life at Globe Arena, with a stunning hat-trick against Championship side Rotherham in the League Cup, before injury derailed his sharp start.

Dunn hasn’t recaptured that early form since, but the League Two side will still hope to extend his loan beyond January.

However, if the 21-year-old can put himself back among the goals a step up awaits.

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