2 goals, 3 assists as loanees make electric start – Liverpool FC Loan Watch

August 11, 2019
Ben Twelves

Sheyi Ojo was in stunning form while Rhys Williams enjoyed a special moment and Marko Grujic registered an assist as Liverpool’s loanees shone.

Jurgen Klopp allowed some big talents to depart on loan this summer, with a very high-quality batch of Reds departing Anfield looking to impress.

Twelve Reds are plying their trade away from L4 and seven of those enjoyed game-time as the new campaign begins to get underway.

A number of those were not involved due to making recent moves and as they find their feet in new environments.

Those deemed not quite ready for action were Harry Wilson, Ovie Ejaria and Taiwo Awoniyi, while Loris Karius‘ season at Besiktas starts next weekend.

Nathaniel Phillips could yet join the action on Monday night if he has handed his Stuttgart debut in the DFB-Pokal.

Those who did play made a blistering start, delivering goals, assists and impressive performances.

Ojo was in red hot form for Rangers…

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1CNrpnnXns/

The talented winger became the third Liverpool player to be lured to Ibrox to work with Steven Gerrard.

Ojo took no time to settle in initally, making a lightning fast opening in Glasgow as he scored two goals in his first four appearances for the club.

His blistering start continued on Sunday as he scored one and posted two assists to inspire The Gers to a 6-1 demolition of Hibernian.

The assists came first – both early in the first-half – as the 22-year-old provided the ground-work for the first two goals of Jermain Defoe’s hat-trick.

https://twitter.com/RangersGoaIs/status/1160585414295658497

Defoe first converted a rebound after Ojo’s stinging shot was too hot to handle, while the second saw the Reds’ loanee produce a good run and cut-back for the former England striker to finish.

https://twitter.com/RangersGoaIs/status/1160585338953375744

Ojo got in on the goal-scoring act himself to round off a fantastic victory in the closing moments – making it six as he swivelled and slotted home at the back post.

With three goals and two assists in his first six outings, Ojo looks primed for an exciting season under Gerrard.

There was a special moment for Williams…

Academy defender Williams’ move to National League North side Kidderminster Harriers was one of the more low-key switches made this summer.

But the towering centre-back has taken no time at all to announce himself, having started a great first test at a very physical level of football with a bang.

Making three successive starts in the Harriers’ first three league games, Williams enjoyed a moment to remember as he marked his third outing with a first goal in senior football.

The 18-year-old scored Kidderminster’s second goal of a 3-0 win over Bradford Park Avenue – rising highest to power home a header.

? WATCH: RHYS REACTS@LFC defender Rhys Williams was "buzzing" to net his first goal in senior football on Saturday. Here's what he had to say ? pic.twitter.com/srSfE8dg4w

— Kidderminster Harriers ? (@khfcofficial) August 10, 2019

As the score-line reflects, Williams, more importantly, did his main job at the other end as he played a key role in his side post a first clean sheet of the new campaign.

It’s been a great start to a first loan experience for Williams, and hopefully this turns out to be one of the surprise success stories of the borrowed Reds this season.

Grujic also posted an assist…

Ojo was joined in the assists production by Grujic, who is back for a second season with Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin, now under new management in Ante Covic.

The Serbian was a star performer last season and he has taken no time to resume from where he left off as he claimed his first assist of the season in Hertha’s 5-1 DFB-Pokal win over Eichstatt.

After a deep cross was swung to the back post, Grujic produced a towering header back across goal and Vedad Ibisevic was perfectly positioned to nod home.

Grujic is up and running for the season, but now the real test arrives as Hertha face the toughest Bundesliga opening fixture against Bayern Munich next weekend.

Four more Reds were in action…

Hopes are high for Kamil Grabara to produce a strong campaign in the Championship after securing a great move to promotion-hopefuls Huddersfield.

The Polish stopper had a difficult debut in defeat to Derby on the opening day, but he showed the quality he will bring to Jan Siewert’s side with a fine display in his second outing.

Grabara pulled off a string of good saves to help his side get a first point on the board with a 1-1 draw against much-improved QPR.

Ben Woodburn has dropped down to League One for game time and experience, joining Oxford United for the campaign.

The move should help the youngster kick-start his career at a level he can dominate, and Woodburn has made a solid opening with back-to-back starts.

The second of those came on Saturday, as the Wales international operated as Oxford’s chief creator in the No. 10 role against Peterborough.

Woodburn’s side won 1-0 to claim their first victory of the new season, and he should have opened his account for the campaign but missed a sitter somehow volleying over from close range.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B03G5liHUzW/

Liam Millar couldn’t mark the start of his second spell with Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock with a dream goal as his side suffered a 2-0 loss at Hamilton.

The Canadian striker was straight into the starting XI, and though he had a goalless afternoon, he was a lively presence on his comeback causing Hamilton countless problems.

It meant Millar was on the receiving end of some rough treatment, and one particularly nasty challenge saw Hamilton’s Brian Easton sent off but Killie still couldn’t fight back.

One Red didn’t have a break this summer – that being Allan Rodrigues at Fluminense due to the Brazilian season being in full flow.

The 22-year-old has featured 17 times in all competitions in what has been a difficult campaign so far, as Fluminense hover two points above the Serie A relegation zone after 14 matches.

Form didn’t improve any on Sunday when Fluminense suffered a 2-1 loss to Atletico Miniero, in which Allan played all 90 minutes as his side’s deep-lying playmaker.