Liverpool Loan Watch: August 2019

Welcome to the first part of my series of monthly articles; tracking the progress of Liverpool’s loanees for the 2019/20 season. This is an ongoing series which will hopefully help keep fans up to date on how our players are getting on at their temporary homes. The club has twelve players on loan, and this series will follow their campaigns closely, and assess which of the loaned players are likely to have a future at Anfield. This series was something I enjoyed writing last season, and hopefully we will see players have similar successes to those that were out on loan last season.

Let’s see how they got on in August…

Marko Grujic – Hertha Berlin

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	4	Starts	4
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	1	Goals	1

After a highly successful spell last season in the German capital, midfielder Marko Grujic begins his second loan at Hertha Berlin. The Serbian appeared in all of pre-season, including fixtures against Crystal Palace and West Ham. Grujic made his first appearance of the season in the DFB Cup victory over Eichstatt. Hertha ran out 5-1 winners, with Grujic having plenty of influence on proceedings, including assisting the third goal with a well-timed header from a set-piece. Grujic went from assister to scorer as Hertha started their Bundesliga season with a very respectable draw away at defending champions Bayern Munich. Grujic latched onto a through ball and rounded Manuel Neuer before slotting into an empty net for a lovely goal. Grujic had a far less successful outing on matchday two, losing 3-0 at home to Wolfsburg. It was another 3-0 defeat for Hertha as they fell to Schalke, with Grujic again starting but struggling to help his team, despite being accurate in possession. It was good to hear Grujic say that he hopes to be at Liverpool next season. Despite a difficult August, he certainly has the talent to – he will be an excellent addition to our midfield and has a skillset that at the minute, we don’t have.

Liam Millar – Kilmarnock

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	3	Starts	3
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	1
Goals	0	Goals	0

Liam Millar has re-signed with Kilmarnock on loan, but it is a very different Kilmarnock side. The influential Jordan Jones and Kris Boyd have left, as has Steve Clarke, who has been appointed Scotland manager. Clarke’s replacement is Angelo Alessio, former assistant to Antonio Conte. It has been a terrible start to the season for Killie – last season’s 3^rd-placed team knocked out of Europa League qualifying at the first hurdle to Welsh team. They were defeated on the opening day of the league season by Rangers, before Millar made his first appearance of the season, starting in a shock 2-0 defeat to Hamilton Academical. Millar was bright and made one particularly good run but couldn’t prevent his side going down to a poor defeat. Killie had the chance for immediate revenge when they took Hamilton on in the League Cup the following week – and this time it was Millar’s side who got the result. He was brought on with 30 minutes left and had a shot which unfortunately sailed over the bar, before his side secured progression with a winner in extra time. Killie finally got their first point of the Premiership season with a 0-0 draw at home to Aberdeen, in which he played 70 minutes. They followed this up with an impressive 1-0 win away from home at the usually defensively solid St Johnstone, with Millar playing 78 minutes as part of a front three.

Nathaniel Phillips – VFB Stuttgart

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	1	Starts	1
Sub Appearances	2	Sub Appearances	2
Goals	0	Goals	0

One of the more interesting loan moves of the summer is promising centre-back Nathaniel Phillips being loaned out to Bundesliga 2 club VFB Stuttgart. We have seen a few English players doing well for themselves in Germany recently – Ademola Lookman on loan from Everton at RB Leipzig, Emile Smith-Rowe on loan from Arsenal at the same club, David Bates, who joined Hamburg from Rangers and is now at Hillsborough, and of course, Jadon Sancho, who has become a global superstar at Borussia Dortmund. We have also ourselves seen Marko Grujic perform well at Hertha Berlin and now we have three players on loan in Germany, which will be interesting to see. Having a look at Stuttgart’s squad is like going back in time – Mario Gomez and Holger Badstuber are stars of the recently relegated side along with ex-Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua, while former Everton and Aston Villa man Thomas Hitzlsperger is the Director of Football there. Phillips’ debut was a substitute appearance in the DFB Cup game against Hansa, a 1-0 win. It was another appearance off the bench for Phillips in his side’s 2-1 win over St Pauli, now managed by ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay. Phillips got 17 minutes in this fixture. Stuttgart then got a 0-0 draw away at Erzgebirge, with Phillips getting man of the match thanks to an excellent performance in his first start for the club.

Ovie Ejaria – Reading

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	5	Starts	5
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	2	Goals	2

Ovie Ejaria begins his second loan spell at Reading after Jose Gomes signed the midfielder as part of his deadline day which contained the ambitious signings of George Puscas from Inter and Lucas Joao from Sheffield Wednesday. Reading were beaten 3-1 by Wednesday and 2-1 by Hull in their first two games – Joao scoring against them in the first game, and then for them in the second. Ejaria made his second Reading debut against Wycombe in the first round of the Carabao Cup and earned rave reviews for his performance, being talked about as the best player of the match with plenty of technical quality and ability to hold onto the ball. Ejaria didn’t complete the match, but a penalty shootout win earned Reading a tie at League Two Plymouth in the second round. Ejaria put in a sensational performance live on Sky as Reading comfortably defeated promotion candidates Cardiff City 3-0 at home to earn their first league win of the campaign. Ejaria absolutely ran the show and was key in midfield, controlling play from deep as well as creating opportunities in what was an all-round superb afternoon at the Madejski. Next up was a trip to the Hawthorns. Ejaria was the best player on the field for the most part, dominating the game and controlling the midfield, before scoring his first goal of the season with a thunderous strike from outside of the box, an early contender for Liverpool loanee goal of the season. Unfortunately he gave a penalty away late on with a slightly mistimed challenge on Filip Kroninovic, the penalty converted by Kenneth Zohore for a 1-1 draw. Reading continued their good form with a 2-0 win away from home against Huddersfield Town, Ejaria once again starting and scoring, powering a strike into the bottom corner after receiving the ball from Omar Richards and slotting into the bottom corner. Despite the goal, he was less influential in the game overall. Ejaria was rested as his side overcame League Two Plymouth in the next round of the Carabao Cup, drawing Wolves in Round Three. It was a less impressive end to the month for Reading as they lost 2-0 at home to surprise package Charlton Athletic, with Ejaria playing the full 90 but having very little impact on the game.

Sheyi Ojo – Rangers

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	6	Starts	9
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	2	Goals	4

Winger Sheyi Ojo was on loan at Reims in France last season and struggled to get game-time for a variety of reasons. This season, he has been loaned to Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, who had such success with Ryan Kent on loan. They may not have managed to secure the re-signature of Kent, but Ojo has made an excellent start to life in Glasgow. After scoring in a friendly victory over Oxford United, Ojo scored the second in a 4-0 win away to St Joseph’s in the Europa League first qualifying round after riding a challenge and calmly slotting home a shot into the bottom corner. Ojo sat out the second leg of the tie, but was back in the side for the first leg of the next qualifying round, a 2-0 win over Progres, which he once again scored in after receiving a short corner and hammering a shot home into the opposite bottom corner. The former Wigan and Wolves man started the second leg but failed to get involved in a drab 0-0 draw which was enough to secure Rangers’ progression. The winger was in the starting XI again for the first league game of the season – a 2-1 win away at Kilmarnock and was effectively marked out of the game. Rangers were drawn against Midtjylland in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, and Ojo came off the bench for the final part of their 4-2 win in the first leg, before coming back into the eleven for the 6-1 win over Hibernian in the second game of the league season. After assisting Jermain Defoe’s second goal, Ojo grabbed the final goal of the game, his shot deflecting into the net. Ojo put in a man of the match display as Rangers secured the victory over Midtjylland with a 3-1 triumph in the second leg. Ojo assisted Alfredo Morelos with a brilliant cross for the opener, before scoring the second goal of the night after getting on the end of a Morelos cross in a role-reversal. It was a magnificent Ibrox performance from Ojo and his all-round contribution was hugely praised. He started again in Rangers’ playoff first leg against Legia Warsaw, playing alongside Morelos in a respectable 0-0 draw, before being rested for the Gers’ 1-0 win away at St Mirren in the league after a slight knock. He recovered in time to start the crucial second leg of the Legia game, which his side won 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Morelos. He was less effective than usual but had played a key role in Rangers’ long qualifying road to the group stages – where they have been drawn in Group G with Porto, Feyenoord and Young Boys.

Ben Woodburn – Oxford United

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	5	Starts	5
Sub Appearances	2	Sub Appearances	2
Goals	1	Goals	1

Having had a completely fruitless loan spell at Sheffield United in the Championship, Ben Woodburn has joined League One Oxford United on loan for the forthcoming season. While it is a step down in terms of the level, I rate Oxford and have tipped them to have a decent season and be challenging for the playoff places under Karl Robinson, building on an excellent finish to last season. The Welsh player made his first start in Oxford’s League One opener, away at Sunderland. Woodburn registered an assist, winning a challenge and getting a foot in, which ended up being a through ball for Tarique Fosu to score. The game ended 1-1, and Woodburn impressed in his 75 minutes on the pitch. Next up was Peterborough United at the Kassam Stadium, and Woodburn’s home debut. Peterborough, who I have tipped to be promoted automatically, were defeated 1-0, with Woodburn having an okay game, though being guilty of a horror miss at 0-0. In his first two games, Woodburn started on the right of a 4-2-3-1, a relatively new area for him. Next up for Oxford was a rematch with Peterborough at the same venue, though in a different competition – the first round of the Carabao Cup. The result was the same though, with Oxford progressing to the next round courtesy of a 1-0 win. Both games were won by the same man too – former Liverpool youth player Cameron Brannagan grabbing the winner on both occasions. Woodburn got 68 minutes in the Cup game, coming on to replace Malachi Napa, who was injured. Oxford’s first loss of the season came away at Blackpool, with Woodburn drifting in and out of the game, and being criticised for his finishing, hitting the post and lashing a shot straight at the keeper Jak Alnwick. Woodburn started in the following game, a 1-0 defeat at home to Burton Albion, in which he struggled to make any impact on the game before being taken off. Woodburn started and scored his first goal in the 3-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers, a cool finish from outside the box into the bottom corner. It was an excellent goal, but the Welshman faded as the game went on. Oxford drew Championship Millwall in Round Two of the Cup, with Woodburn on the bench. He was brought on after 67 minutes with his side 2-0 down and completely changed the game, giving his side a different dimension in attack and helping to spark an incredible comeback, with goals in the 87^th and 94^th minute to take the tie to penalties. Woodburn was involved in the second goal, being taken down in the box which earned a penalty, converted by James Henry. Woodburn took Oxford’s second penalty in the shootout and coolly scored as Oxford went through 4-2 on penalties, drawing Premier League West Ham in Round Three. Oxford were then involved in one of the most exciting fixtures of the League One season – a 3-3 draw at home with Coventry, both sides scoring in injury time. Woodburn struck the post with a fierce shot but was subbed after 64 minutes.

Harry Wilson – Bournemouth

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	3	Starts	3
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	1
Goals	2	Goals	2

After a brilliant season at Pride Park last season with Derby, Harry Wilson is now ready to make his Premier League bow with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth. Wilson was an unused substitute for Bournemouth’s Premier League opener, a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United. He was brought into the side from the start for the trip to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa, and repaid Howe’s faith, putting in an excellent performance and scoring Bournemouth’s second goal, a strike from outside of the box which deflected in. Wilson had 74 minutes before being replaced by ex-Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke. During the 74 minutes Wilson managed five shots and a pass accuracy of 90%. Wilson was on the bench for the home game against Manchester City and was brought on early in the game after an injury to Charlie Daniels. Wilson came on and scored a stunning free kick just before half-time, striking into the top corner out of the reach of Ederson, in trademark Harry Wilson fashion. He was unable to prevent a 3-1 defeat, but there’s no doubt he had a positive impact on the game and on his team. Wilson started in the Carabao Cup tie at home to League Two Forest Green and came close with a free kick and a first-half shot, though was thwarted by on-loan Bristol City keeper Joe Wollacott. Wilson was withdrawn before the game went to penalties at 0-0, his side prevailing and earning a trip to Burton Albion in Round Three. Wilson was on the losing side as Bournemouth fell to a 3-1 defeat at Leicester. The Welshman had little influence on the game and was hooked with 26 minutes left.

Kamil Grabara – Huddersfield Town

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	6	Starts	6
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Clean Sheets	0	Clean Sheets	0

We have loaned exciting Polish goalkeeper Kamil Grabara to championship side Huddersfield Town. I was lucky enough to see Grabara make his non-competitive debut for Huddersfield live, as the West Yorkshire club took on Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium. Grabara made two incredible saves, as well as a few other more elementary ones, in an impressive 2-0 win. Unfortunately, he was unable to maintain this as the championship season started, with Huddersfield losing 2-1 at home to Phillip Cocu’s Derby County in Grabara’s official debut, and the Terriers’ first game of the season. Grabara was helpless for one of Tom Lawrence’s goals, a brilliant strike, but for the other, should’ve cleared the ball further than his header did – though was not helped out by team-mate Tommy Elphick at all. Grabara made three very good saves as Huddersfield drew 1-1 with QPR at Loftus Road, Mark Warburton’s side scoring through a Grant Hall header. The keeper sat out Huddersfield’s Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Lincoln City, before returning to the side for the visit of Fulham. This was another loss for Huddersfield, thanks to goals from Ivan Cavaleiro and Aleksandar Mitrovic. Grabara wasn’t at fault for either goal and kept Huddersfield in the contest with a string of good saves. This proved to be the final game in charge at the John Smith’s Stadium for Jan Siewert. Grabara started again in the trip to Wales to take on Cardiff City, but he was unable to keep his first clean sheet, despite some good saves, with Cardiff winning 2-1 courtesy of a deflected Junior Hoilett goal that the Pole couldn’t have done anything about. Huddersfield’s atrocious start to the season continued with a 2-0 home defeat to Reading, though Grabara was once again impressive, making a smart stop from Lucas Joao in the first half. Huddersfield’s disastrous start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat at newly-promoted Luton. Grabara made an excellent long-range save but couldn’t keep out James Collins’ penalty or Andrew Shinnie’s worldie strike as his side went down 2-1.

Loris Karius – Besiktas

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	2	Starts	2
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Clean Sheets	1	Clean Sheets	1

Given the situations that Alisson, Adrian and Caoimhin Kelleher have faced in the formative stages of this season, it is quite ironic that Loris Karius has also picked up an injury which kept him out of Besiktas’ start to the Turkish Super Lig, missing a 3-0 defeat to Sivasspor with a calf injury. It was a happy return to the side for Karius though, his side beating Goztepe 3-0 and the German earning his first clean sheet of the season, making three saves along the way. His Besiktas side were drawn in Group K of the Europa League along with Braga, Wolves and Slovan Bratislava. It was a 1-1 draw for Karius’ side at home to Rizespor. The keeper perhaps could’ve done better for Rizespor’s opener, though it was a sweet strike.

Allan Rodrigues de Souza – Fluminense

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	4	Starts	7
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	0

Allan continues his loan spell at Fluminense, which means I have the pleasure of once again trying to find semi-genuine information about this club, which I am not entirely convinced actually exists. Allegedly, Allan started in a 2-1 win over Internacional, though did not complete the 90 minutes, before another start in a 2-1 defeat to Atletico Mineiro. He did however, complete the 90 in the 1-0 defeat at home to CSA. Allan once again got the full 90 in a 0-0 draw in the first leg of Fluminense’s Copa Sudamerica quarter-final with Corinthians. He completed the 90 in the second leg too, though it was disappointment as a 1-1 draw ended in Corinthians qualifying on away goals.

Taiwo Awoniyi – Mainz 05

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	0	Starts	0
Sub Appearances	2	Sub Appearances	2
Goals	0	Goals	0

The Belgian striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who was so successful on loan at Royal Excel Mouscron in the second part of last season, has joined Bundesliga side Mainz, the former home of both Jurgen Klopp and Loris Karius. Awoniyi was an unused substitute as his team were knocked out of the DFB Cup in the first round, exiting 2-0 at the hands of FC Koln. Mainz were defeated 3-0 by Freiburg in their Bundesliga opener, but at least made his debut for the club, getting four minutes from the bench. Awoniyi got slightly more time on the pitch as Mainz lost 3-1 at home to Monchengladbach, the Nigerian coming off the bench for the final 25 minutes, though was unable to have any true impact on the game. Awoniyi was an unused substitute as Mainz went from leading 1-0 away at defending champions Bayern Munich to losing 6-1.

Rhys Williams – Kidderminster Harriers

August Stats		Season Stats
Starts	7	Starts	7
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	1	Goals	1

U23 centre-back Rhys Williams has been loaned to Kidderminster Harriers, who play in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football. Williams made his debut in a 2-0 defeat to Telford United, but bounced back in style in his second game, helping his side to a 3-0 win away from home against Bradford Park Avenue. As well as the clean sheet, Williams scored his first goal for the Harriers, nodding in a header after a corner had been deflected, putting his side 2-0 in front. Williams made his home debut with a start against Gloucester City, and his team were 2-0 up after just 15 minutes but managed to end up losing 3-2. Williams was again in the starting lineup as Harriers took on Manchester-based club Curzon Ashton, and it was Williams’ side who were the victors, with a 1-0 win away from home – another clean sheet for Williams. It was a very mixed bank holiday period for the Harriers with a 1-0 loss at home to Chester followed up with a superb 5-3 win away at Kettering, Williams playing 90 minutes in both. Williams kept his place for the visit of Alfreton Town, though Harriers fell to a 1-0 defeat.

Thanks for reading my loan watch, I hope you enjoyed it. See you again for September’s report!