Wilson shines again & Karius bounces back as 8 Reds feature – Liverpool FC Loan Watch

December 3, 2018
Ben Twelves

Harry Wilson scored a superb brace while Loris Karius was in much-improved form on a mixed weekend for Liverpool’s loanees.

Like last weekend, eight Reds played while a combination of injuries and simply not being picked meant eight also didn’t feature.

Ben Woodburn and Shamal George were unused, while Corey Whelan had a weekend off with no fixture and Anderson Arroyo stays stationed with KAA Gent’s U21 side.

On the injury front, Danny Ings, Ryan Kent and Connor Randall all missed out, as did Allan Rodrigues who will be sidelined until after Christmas with knee ligament damage.

Here’s the full lowdown on all the action.

Wilson netted a brilliant brace…

There is just no stopping Liverpool’s Welsh wizard currently!

Wilson was in top form again for Derby, producing a match-winning display by scoring both goals to inspire his side to a 2-1 win over Swansea on Saturday.

The Wales international, playing from the right of a front three, opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with the pick of the two strikes—an unstoppable 25-yard drive into the top corner.

His second came 10 minutes later to make it 2-0 and was another fine individual effort—with Wilson winning possession, beating a defender and firing home on his favoured left foot.

With those goals, the 21-year-old now has four in his last three games and eight in total this season for club and country.

What a talent Wilson is developing into.

Great win Saturday??? got the result we deserved, ready to go again next weekend! @dcfcofficial https://t.co/I576QjuWzz

— harry wilson (@harrywilson_) December 3, 2018

Seven more Reds enjoyed game-time…

It was a better weekend for the European Reds as four enjoyed match action for their respective clubs.

One of those was Loris Karius, who retained his No.1 shirt for the Istanbul derby with Galatasaray on Sunday evening, despite enduring a night to forget in the Europa League in midweek.

And the German repaid the faith shown in him by bouncing back with a solid performance in a typically fiery derby clash, keeping a vital clean sheet in a priceless 1-0 win.

Istanbul is black and white?????????#KAR1US #cleansheet @Besiktas pic.twitter.com/VxyYPo5S25

— Loris Karius (@LorisKarius) December 2, 2018

In Germany, Marko Grujic made his second successive start for Hertha Berlin in an impressive 2-0 win at Hannover, as he continues his road back to full fitness.

The Serbian played the full game as part of a double pivot in midfield and followed his impressive comeback last week with another good display, dominating the battle in the centre of the park in the victory.

In France, Sheyi Ojo enjoyed a rare Ligue 1 start at Stade de Reims, just his third of the league season and first since playing all 90 minutes against PSG at the end of September.

Ojo lined up on the right flank in a 4-2-3-1 set-up against Marseille on Sunday and he carried the fight, firing more shots than any other player (4)—but he couldn’t make the decisive breakthrough in a 0-0 draw.

And in Belgium, Taiwo Awoniyi’s wait for a first start at Gent under new boss Jess Thorup goes on, with the Nigerian once again limited to a sub outing in a 2-2 draw at Lokeren on Friday.

That said, Awoniyi did well after entering, helping Gent battle back from 2-0 down to rescue a point thanks to an incredible late comeback which saw two goals scored in the last two minutes.

Three Reds were in action on home soil.

After scoring a superb five goals in five games from midfield for Doncaster, Herbie Kane’s prolific goal-scoring run came to an end on Saturday.

But Kane still enjoyed a good performance as he played his part in a 2-0 win at fellow League One side Charlton in the FA Cup, and also produced this superb piece of skill which almost set up a goal.

Herbie Kane doing Herbie Kane things #drfc pic.twitter.com/jSsUEp2FGB

— Matt (@Matt_Walker96) December 1, 2018

Kent’s hamstring injury ruled him out for a fourth game at Rangers, but the remaining two Reds in Scotland both featured.

After going unused in the Europa League, Ovie Ejaria was back in the Gers’ starting XI for the SPL return on Sunday and helped his side move to the top of the table with a 2-1 win at Hearts.

Steven Gerrard restored the youngster as part of a three-man centre, where Ejaria turned in a composed performance in a feisty affair as the 10-man Gers took the three points back to Ibrox.

Finally, Adam Bogdan continues as Hibernian’s No.1 but also continues to ship goals, conceding three on Saturday in a 3-0 loss to Kilmarnock.