Liverpool Loan Watch: August and September 2020

The loan watch is back! Welcome to the first instalment in the 2020/21 loan watch series. This is the third year I have run the loan watch – a series of monthly articles analysing all of Liverpool’s out-on-loan players. Recent years have seen the likes of Ovie Ejaria, Harry Wilson, Herbie Kane, Marko Grujic, Taiwo Awoniyi, Rhian Brewster, Ryan Kent and Kamil Grabara all have successful spells, and the club will be hoping for more fruitful loan periods this season.

Let’s see how the club’s loanees got on in August and September…

Sheyi Ojo – Cardiff City

Winger Sheyi Ojo begins another loan from Liverpool, this time at Cardiff City. The Bluebirds made the playoffs last season after a brilliant turnaround under Neil Harris, and I have tipped them to make the automatic promotion spots this time around. Ojo’s debut was in the home loss to Sheffield Wednesday, who moved themselves onto -9 points with a 2-0 win. Ojo was one of the only respectable performers for Cardiff, running at the defence and looking bright in attack. Cardiff bounced back in style with an excellent 2-0 win away at Nottingham Forest, who are stuttering after last year’s near-miss. Ojo got 73 minutes and was dangerous with the ball at his feet. They couldn’t replicate that performance next time out though, losing 2-1 at home to a resurgent Reading side. Ojo was particularly disappointing and lost the ball for the Royals’ second goal.

Adam Lewis – Amiens SC

20-year-old left-back Adam Lewis has joined French Ligue 2 side Amiens on a season-long loan deal. Amiens are looking to return to Ligue 1 at the first time of asking after being relegated last season. Lewis started the club’s first match of the season, a 1-0 home win over Nancy, and lasted 76 minutes before being substituted, picking up a yellow card on debut. Lewis completed his first 90 minutes in a 1-0 loss to Le Havre, the French club who have produced the likes of Paul Pogba, Jean-Alain Boumsong, Lassana Diarra, Dimitri Payet and current Man City duo Riyad Mahrez and Benjamin Mendy, as well as former Liverpool man Florent Sinama-Pongolle. Lewis’ third start also resulted in a loss, this time to Paris FC, but he again did the full 90. The left-back achieved his second clean sheet with a 0-0 draw away at Chateauroux. It was another goalless draw as they were held by Pau at home, Lewis making another start.

Morgan Boyes – Fleetwood Town

Welsh centre-back Morgan Boyes was the first Liverpool player to be loaned out in 2020/21, to League One side Fleetwood Town, under the stewardship of Joey Barton. Fleetwood came close to promotion last time out, losing in the playoff semi-finals to eventual winners Wycombe Wanderers. The 19-year-old featured in two Liverpool games last season, the Carabao Cup exit at Aston Villa and the FA Cup win over Shrewsbury Town. Boyes impressed in Fleetwood’s pre-season friendlies and made the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup victory against Port Vale but didn’t come off the bench, and this continued for their 2-1 loss at Peterborough in the league. Boyes Fleetwood debut came in their Carabao Cup clash with Premier League Everton, and had some impressive moments despite Carlo Ancelotti’s team comfortably making it through. Boyes kept his place in the side for the weekend’s match, with Fleetwood falling to a surprise home loss against AFC Wimbledon.

Tony Gallacher – Toronto FC

One of the most interesting loans of the summer window was Scottish left-back Tony Gallacher joining Toronto. To my knowledge, this is the first time Liverpool have made a transfer to or from an MLS team. Toronto’s roster includes Alejandro Pozuelo and Jozy Altidore, both of whom graced the Premier League, for Swansea and Sunderland respectively. Gallacher was left on the bench for their 2-2 draw away at DC United, whom Wayne Rooney once played for. His Toronto debut came in the MLS clash away at New York City, managed by former Celtic boss Ronny Deila. Gallacher lasted 61 minutes at left-back in the 1-0 win, earned courtesy of a Pozuelo penalty. His second appearance was from the bench in a 3-1 home victory over Columbus Crew, with Toronto coming from behind to get the win.

Loris Karius – Union Berlin

Loris Karius has begun his second loan spell away from Liverpool with a move to Union Berlin, where fellow loanee Taiwo Awoniyi has also arrived. Karius is yet to make his debut for the club after moving late in the month.

Taiwo Awoniyi – Union Berlin

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi showed some good flashes in his loan spell at Mainz last season, and he will once again spend the year in Germany, this time with Union Berlin, who finished 11^th in the league last season. His debut was a start in an impressive 1-1 draw with Champions League team Borussia Monchengladbach. Awoniyi was subbed in the second half as Union saw out the result.

Kamil Grabara – AGF Aarhus

Polish goalkeeper Kamil Grabara has rejoined Danish side AGF Aarhus on a season-long loan. Grabara spent time there in the 2018/19 season and impressed, so it wasn’t too surprising to see fans of the club, who currently lie 2^nd in the league, very pleased to have him back.

Daniel (@daykind19)

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Daniel Daykin

A non-biased voice of reason among fellow Liverpool fans. I'll always tell you the truth, no matter how hard you find it to accept. I miss Suarez. A lot.

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