Harry Wilson and Herbie Kane continued their shining form for their respective loan clubs on Tuesday, as the Liverpool youngsters kickstarted the New Year.
While the Reds have seen a clutch of their loanees struggle for consistency this season, including Ovie Ejaria, Sheyi Ojo and Ben Woodburn, Wilson and Kane have produced regularly.
Though Jurgen Klopp acknowledged the possibility of recalling Wilson from Derby if either Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane suffered serious injuries, the Wales international is widely expected to stay at Pride Park until May.
And after agreeing a new contract with Liverpool last month, Kane saw his deal with Doncaster extended to the end of the campaign.
This was a major boost for Grant McCann’s side, with the 20-year-old Bristolian immediately taking up a key role at the Keepmoat, scoring six and assisting six in 29 games in the first half of the season.
Making his 30th appearance in the midweek League One clash with Rochdale, Kane added to his tally of assists as he teed up John Marquis for a close-range header on the way to a 5-0 win.
Dale were again without Connor Randall, who is now set to return to Merseyside after a fractured cheekbone limited him to just three appearances during his half-season spell.
For Kane, the prospect of staying with Doncaster is a hugely positive one, as having been substituted on 66 minutes on Tuesday, he is averaging 85.2 on the pitch per game—having never previously played senior competitive football.
Meanwhile, though Derby’s result was not as emphatic, being held to a 1-1 draw by Championship play-off rivals Middlesbrough, Wilson’s impact was more prominent than Kane’s.
Having only scored once in his last five league games for the Rams, the 21-year-old found the back of the net within two minutes, marking his 10th goal in 24 outings on loan.
It was his ninth in the Championship, and having also laid on one assist he became the first Derby player involved in 10 league goals this season.
Overall, Wilson has scored 10 and assisted two in 24 appearances, averaging a direct goal contribution every 156.6 minutes.
However there will be concern for Frank Lampard after his No. 7 was forced off through injury on 49 minutes, but having left the field independently the hope will be the issue is not serious.
Derby stay sixth in the Championship, level on points with fifth-placed Boro, with their next game coming at home to Southampton in the FA Cup third round.
Doncaster are also next in action in the cup, making the trip to second-tier Preston North End.
Elsewhere, Corey Whelan is likely to play his last game for Crewe on Saturday, with his loan deal due to expire two days after the trip to Morecambe.
Shamal George is already due to return from Tranmere Rovers, having been an unused substitute in their 1-1 draw with Macclesfield on Tuesday, making just three appearances since July.
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