Harry Wilson scored a fantastic brace for Bournemouth while Sheyi Ojo was back in good form at Rangers as Liverpool’s loanees impressed.
This weekend saw fewer borrowed Reds in action but productivity levels increase, as the loanees made a full recovery from international break hangover.
Eight of Liverpool’s loaned men played, and more importantly, produced much-improved form – with Wilson and Ojo standing out with a pair of impressive cameo displays.
Here’s the full lowdown on all the action from across the weekend.
Wilson shone with a brace on the big stage…
It’s fair to say the 22-year-old is doing everything he can to show Jurgen Klopp he can deliver on the Premier League stage – and perhaps do so in a Liverpool shirt in the future.
A brace in a game-changing cameo in Bournemouth’s 3-2 loss at rejuvenated Tottenham was Wilson’s latest demonstration, as he took his tally to six goals for the season in 13 appearances.
With Bournemouth trailing 3-0, and seemingly dead and buried, the Welshman almost single-handedly dragged his side to an unlikely point.
Wilson gave the Cherries a ray of hope 17 minutes from time with…yep, you guessed it – a trademark free-kick curled beautifully into the top corner from 25-yards.
Then in stoppage time, the Wales international made it 3-2 with a crisp finish inside the box to make for a nervy ending, but Spurs held on to take the points.
It sadly proved a case of too little, too late, but Wilson certainly made another statement with this impressive goal-scoring impact.
Ojo is on his way back…
After a flying start at Rangers Ojo has suffered a dip in form in recent times, with just one assist in his last seven outings seeing him come in for some stick from the Ibrox faithful.
That same home crowd will have been delighted with the winger on Sunday though, as he followed Wilson in producing an impactful cameo, which included an assist, in the Gers’ 5-0 rout of Hearts.
Sent on into a comfortable scenario by Steven Gerrard with Rangers 3-0 up, Ojo capitalised on the feel-good factor to play his way back into form, with his fine work inspiring the fourth goal.
The 22-year-old displayed the sort of determination the Gers fans love to see to steal possession in the box and fire a shot at goal, which was parried to Greg Stewart who scored the rebound for Rangers’ 10,000th league goal.
?? RANGERS 4 – 0 Hearts
????? Greg Stewart
?? 80'The club's 10,000th goal pic.twitter.com/cf6XBlDtSm
— Rangers Goals (@RangersGoaIs) December 1, 2019
Producing a decisive moment like this will have provided a big confidence boost to Ojo, and it is just reward for the positive approach and maturity he has shown to come through a tough situation.
Hopefully, it also provides the catalyst for the 22-year-old to rediscover his best form over the coming weeks.
Mixed form & results for the remaining six Reds…
Saturday afternoon saw the start of a new era for Marko Grujic, who played his first game under newly appointed manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
The ex-Germany striker instantly produced a show of faith in the Serbian, picking Grujic in his first starting XI for the visit of off-form Borrusia Dortmund.
It’s a positive sign that Grujic will continue to be a mainstay in the Hertha lineup, as the 23-year-old took up his usual role in a two-man midfield.
Hertha suffered a 2-1 defeat on Klinsmann’s debut, but Grujic made a solid first impression with a typically all-action performance.
Also in Germany, the recent increase in game time for Nat Phillips continued, as the centre-back made his fifth start of the season in Stuttgart’s 2-0 loss to Sandhausen in 2. Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, it was another busy period at Fluminense for Allan Rodrigues, who played all but four minutes of Fluminense’s two games.
The play-maker helped his side secure four points from six, which ensures of Fluminense’s safety in Serie A after a long relegation battle.
This spell back in his homeland has been by far the most rewarding move for Allan, who has made 34 appearances so far, in which he has provided a solitary assist.
And a further three up and coming Reds were in action on home soil.
Kamil Grabara suffered the heaviest defeat of his senior career, enduring a game to forget as Huddersfield suffered an embarrassing 5-2 defeat at Bristol City.
A shambolic defensive display in front of Grabara offered him precious little protection, but he may feel he could have done better with one or two of City’s goals on a bad afternoon all round.
Liam Millar had to settle for third consecutive sub outing at Kilmarnock, but it was a rewarding one as he helped his side battle back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw at Hibernian.
Finally, Rhys Williams completed the full 90 minutes as Kidderminster Harriers went down 1-0 to Southport in the National League North.
Liverpool’s Loanees This Weekend
- Harry Wilson (Bournemouth) – 27 mins + stoppage time vs. Tottenham, two goals
- Marko Grujic (Hertha Berlin) – 90 mins vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Liam Millar (Kilmarnock) – 30 mins vs. Hibernian
- Rhys Williams (Kidderminster) – 90 mins vs. Southport
- Kamil Grabara (Huddersfield) – 90 mins vs. Bristol City
- Nat Phillips (Stuttgart) – 90 mins vs. Sandhausen
- Sheyi Ojo (Rangers) – 23 mins + stoppage time vs. Hearts, assist
- Allan Rodrigues (Fluminense) – 86 mins vs. Avai
- Taiwo Awoniyi (Mainz 05) – To play Monday night vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
- Loris Karius (Besiktas) – To play Monday night vs. Kayerispor
Injured: Ovie Ejaria, Ben Woodburn
Not in action: Anderson Arroyo
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