Woodburn returns to action in positive weekend for young Reds – Liverpool FC Loan Watch

November 5, 2018
Ben Twelves

Harry Wilson and Danny Ings hit the net while Ben Woodburn made a welcome return to action on an improved weekend for Liverpool’s loanees.

The borrowed Reds bounced back to positive form with a much-improved weekend in terms of productivity.

Game time was still in short supply as only nine loanees played and four available Reds went unused—those being Sheyi Ojo, Allan Rodrigues, Taiwo Awoniyi and Shamal George.

Anderson Arroyo’s wait for first-team football at KAA Gent goes on while Marko Grujic and Connor Randall remain out, meaning seven loanees in total went without top-level action.

Here’s the full lowdown on those who did play, starting with the star performer…

Wilson scored his fourth of the season…

The Welshman has been in brilliant form at Derby and continued it with another goalscoring display to help his side record a 3-1 comeback win over Birmingham.

Operating again as a roaming No. 8 in midfield, Wilson played a key role in an inspired fight-back by the Rams by making it 2-1 on 55 minutes—doing so in trademark fashion.

On free-kick duty after some recent stunners for club and country, Wilson whipped a disguised Fabio Aurelio-esque effort round the wall, inside the near post and—via deflection—into the net.

The audacity of the strike spoke volumes about Wilson’s confidence currently, and it’s no surprise given how well he’s playing for Frank Lampard’s side—who sit fifth in the Championship table.

Great win today, keep this going boys??? @dcfcofficial https://t.co/ixYRf27TbG

— harry wilson (@harrywilson_) November 3, 2018

That makes it four goals and two assists from 14 appearances in all competitions for Wilson and it is becoming increasingly clear just what a talent he is.

Ings was also on the scoresheet…

It’s shaping into a miserable season for Southampton but Ings is providing a ray of light for the St Mary’s faithful with his regular supply of goals.

The striker grabbed his fifth for the Saints against Man City on Sunday, but couldn’t do Liverpool a favour in the title hunt with the goal proving only a consolation effort in a 6-1 rout.

With Southampton already 3-0 down after just 18 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, Ings pulled one back as he won and converted a penalty, sending Ederson the wrong way.

That was as good as it got for Ings and his team-mates, with the Istanbul-like comeback that we all hoped would transpire never coming close to materialising.

Ings now has five goals in 11 appearances for Mark Hughes’ team—an impressive record in a struggling side.

Seven more Reds were in action…

There was a nice surprise in the Championship as Woodburn made a welcome return to matchday involvement and match action at Sheffield United.

After six games uninvolved, Woodburn played for the first time since a draw at Birmingham on September 16 as he featured as a late sub in a 1-0 loss at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

It wasn’t a cameo appearance to write home about but hopefully Woodburn now remains in the picture at Bramall Lane.

Further down the English football pyramid, Herbie Kane completed another 90 minutes as League One side Doncaster went down 2-0 at Charlton on Saturday.

And in League Two, Corey Whelan played only the first half of Crewe’s 2-0 loss at Northampton after being subbed at half-time in a tactical change.

It was a rare quiet weekend for the three Reds plying their trade in the Scottish Premiership.

Ryan Kent and Ovie Ejaria both featured in Rangers’ 2-0 win at St Mirren on Saturday, but neither youngster hit the heights they have recently produced in the victory.

Meanwhile, Adam Bogdan was denied a second successive clean sheet as St Johnstone beat the Hungarian’s Hibernian side 1-0 on Saturday.

Finally, and disappointingly, Loris Karius was the only European loanee to play this weekend.

The German made his 11th appearance for Besiktas but couldn’t prevent his side losing 1-0 at league leaders Basaksehir—a defeat which left Karius’ side sixth in the Turkish SuperLig table.