Grujic scores & Kent assists as Awoniyi’s hot streak continues – Liverpool FC Loan Watch

Marko Grujic and Taiwo Awoniyi were on the scoresheet while Ryan Kent delivered another assist as Liverpool’s loanees continued their excellent form.

The borrowed men just continue to deliver the goods, with this another weekend of goals, assists and impressive performances.

Ten loanees played while five missed out and one more could feature on Monday night—that being Anderson Arroyo for the KAA Gent U21s.

Those to miss out were Danny Ings (injured), Adam Bogdan, Allan Rodrigues, Liam Millar (all unused) and Pedro Chirivella (ineligible).

Here’s all the action from the weekend, starting with the goalscorers.

 

Grujic was back among the goals…

Fussball, Herren, 1. Bundesliga, Saison 2018/19, 14. Spieltag, Hertha BSC - Eintracht Frankfurt, Jubel nach dem Tor zum 1:0 durch Marko Grujic (Nr. 15, Hertha BSC), 08.12.18, DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO, *** Football Men 1 Bundesliga Season 2018 19 14 Matchday Hertha BSC Eintracht Frankfurt Jubilation after the goal to 1 0 by Marko Grujic Nr 15 Hertha BSC 08 12 18 DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND OR QUASI VIDEO.

Grujic is enjoying a superb season at Hertha Berlin and he was in top form again on Saturday, helping his side produce a brilliant 2-1 comeback win against Mainz.

The Serbian inspired the turnaround by scoring the equaliser just four minutes after Hertha fell behind, stepping up to deliver a sharp response.

It was a simple finish as Grujic pounced on a rebound to stab home from close range, and he had no time to celebrate, instead rallying his team-mates to go on and win the game.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BuhGg3Ph13-/

Hertha went on to do that by scoring what was the winner on the hour mark, and alongside his goal, Grujic was a driving force behind his side’s excellent second-half display.

The goal was the 22-year-old’s third of the season in 15 appearances, while he also has one assist to his name.

But Grujic’s impact has been far greater than those numbers suggest, with the Serbian showing that he is more than ready for a role on the top stage.

 

Awoniyi’s hot streak shows no sign of stopping…

Mouscron's Taiwo Awoniyi celebrates after scoring during a soccer game between Standard de Liege and Royal Excel Mouscron, Saturday 02 March 2019 in Liege, on the 28th day of the 'Jupiler Pro League' Belgian soccer championship season 2018-2019. BELGA PHOTO BRUNO FAHY

Awoniyi is one of the in-form strikers in the whole of Europe currently, and the Nigerian goal machine was at it once again on Friday night.

The 20-year-old scored his sixth goal in seven games in Mouscron’s 1-1 draw at Standard Liege—a result which brought an end a stunning six-game winning run inspired by Awoniyi’s form.

With Mouscron trailing 1-0 from a first-half strike, Awoniyi levelled the score on the hour with a brilliant goal.

He showed good movement and electric pace to break in behind Standard’s defence, but also great composure to fire a clinical finish into the net on his left foot.

That’s now six goals—including three match-winners—and two assists in seven games back at Mouscron since January.

What a prospect this young man is developing into.

 

Another game, another assist for Kent…

Rangers' Ryan Kent celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership match at the Hope CBD Stadium, Hamilton (Jane Barlow/PA Wire/PA Images)

Kent has been in stunning form since the turn of the year, really raising his game to another level for Steven Gerrard’s Rangers.

And his fine form continued with another decisive display in the Gers’ Scottish Cup fifth round 1-1 draw against Aberdeen—which will now be decided in a replay at Ibrox in 10 days’ time.

The in-form winger laid on his side’s equaliser in the hard-fought stalemate, which was his fourth assist in his last three outings.

Three minutes into the second half, Kent delivered a brilliant in-swinging corner deep to the back post where team-mate Joe Worral volleyed home a neat finish.

This latest assist takes Kent’s tally to nine for the season along with five goals from 34 appearances in all competitions—with six of those set-ups and two of the goals coming in 2019.

The numbers are certainly impressive and reflective of what has been a great season so far for the 22-year-old under Gerrard’s guidance.

 

Seven more Reds featured across the weekend…

Bournemouth's Nathaniel Clyne (Image: Mark Kerton/PA Wire. )

Starting with the loanees on home soil, Nathaniel Clyne was unable to do Liverpool a favour in the pursuit of the Premier League title.

The right-back’s Bournemouth side lost 1-0 to Man City, with Clyne in solid form before being subbed late on as the Cherries chased an equaliser which sadly never came.

As a result of a dip in form recently—with no goal or assist for eight games—Harry Wilson dropped to the bench for Derby’s trip to Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Welshman wasn’t there for long though as he was introduced at half-time, by which time his side were already 4-0 down, leaving Wilson a thankless task for the second period.

Ovie Ejaria, Reading (Mike Egerton/PA Archive/PA Images)

Elsewhere in the Championship, Ovie Ejaria built on his goalscoring performance last weekend with another impressive display in Reading’s crucial 2-1 win at Ipswich on Saturday.

Ejaria featured in a deeper role again, this time as part of a two-man midfield in a 4-2-3-1 system, and he was a constant source of creativity with his use of the ball impressive throughout.

After missing Doncaster’s loss to Shrewsbury in midweek through injury, Herbie Kane was back in the starting XI against fellow playoff chasers Charlton.

Kane reconvened in his usual midfield role and was in solid form in the 1-1 draw before being withdrawn in the second half, perhaps as a precaution with his groin issue.

Goalkeeper Loris Karius of Besiktas during the Turkish Superlig Match between Bursaspor and Besiktas at Buyuksehir Belediye Stadium in Bursa , Turkey on September 02 , 2018 (Seskimphoto/Imago/PA Images)

Three more European loanees featured including both of the goalkeepers, who had identical results.

Loris Karius continues as Besiktas’ No. 1 and the German conceded twice as his side drew 2-2 at Kayserispor on Saturday, though he could do little about either goal.

Kamil Grabara also shipped two goals in the middle of the goal for AGF Arhaus in a 2-2 draw with Vendsyssel on Sunday, and just like Karius the Polish stopper was in solid form.

Finally, Sheyi Ojo stepped up his return from injury as he played for Stade de Reims II in their heavy 6-1 defeat to Creteil Lusitanos in National 2 on Saturday.


Liverpool’s Loanees This Weekend

Derby County's Harry Wilson (Nick Potts/PA Wire/PA Images)

Injured: Danny Ings
Ineligible: Pedro Chirivella,
Not in action: Allan Rodrigues, Adam Bogdan, Liam Millar

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