Productive weekend for Liverpool loanees as Taiwo Awoniyi scores on Mouscron debut

Liverpool currently have four players out on loan, with more likely to follow, and the fruits of their temporary moves are already shining through.

Reds winger Ryan Kent signed a new five-year contract with the club on Thursday evening, with Jurgen Klopp admitting he “obviously he really took the benefit” of his loan at Barnsley.

The youngster looks set to take up a first-team role under Klopp this season, but a host of others will spend the campaign away from Merseyside.

One of those, Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi scored on his debut for Belgian First Division A side Royal Excel Mouscron on Saturday afternoon.

Awoniyi, who also celebrated his 20th birthday on the same day, started alongside Jonathan Bolingi up front against KSC Lokeren.

Within 23 minutes, the striker had headed Mouscron in front, powering home Mergim Vojvoda’s cross on the way to a 2-0 victory at the Daknamstadion.

Having played three games, Mouscron are currently fifth in the Belgian top flight, and with Awoniyi netting on his first outing for Mircea Rednic’s side, he will be hoping to push on.

Meanwhile, Connor Randall made his second appearance for Hearts in Saturday’s 1-0 victory away to Kilmarnock.

The 21-year-old lined up in the centre of midfield, belying his upbringing as a full-back on Merseyside, and played the full 90 minutes as Isma’s first-half strike sealed the win.

This is a major improvement on Randall’s debut for Hearts, coming on as a substitute in last weekend’s 4-1 loss away to Celtic.

Randall is already on his second manager at the Scottish side, with Ian Cathro dismissed at the beginning of August to be replaced by interim coach Jon Daly.

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

Shamal George was an unused substitute as Carlisle United sealed a vital 2-1 away win over Cambridge United.

The 19-year-old is vying with fellow loanee Jack Bonham for a starting role, and will be hoping to break through into Keith Curle’s selection in the coming weeks.

Finally, Pedro Chirivella started in Willem II’s 2-1 defeat at home to Excelsior on Sunday afternoon, as the Tilburg outfit kicked off their Eredivisie campaign.

Lining up alongside former Arsenal midfielder Dan Crowley, the 20-year-old remained on the field throughout, but couldn’t make the desired impact.

The young Spaniard impressed in his two appearances for the Reds during pre-season, but was clearly deemed surplus to requirements by Klopp.

After making a strong impact on loan with Go Ahead Eagles in the second half of 2016/17, Chirivella can look forward to a prominent role at Sami Hyypia’s former club this term.

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