Liverpool Loan Watch: November 2019

Welcome to the fourth 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 fourteen 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.

If you didn’t catch my October piece, you can find it here: http://fanscorners.com/liverpool-loan-watch-october-2019/

Let’s see how they got on in November…

Marko Grujic – Hertha Berlin

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	3	Starts	13
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	2

Grujic’s first action of the month was a start against struggling Union Berlin in the first ever Berlin derby in Bundesliga. Unfortunately, a late penalty conceded by Dedryck Boyata was scored by former QPR striker Sebastian Polter and Union Berlin were victorious 1-0. Grujic played well, working hard in midfield and getting into the spirit of the derby. There was a change of shape for Hertha as they took on RB Leipzig at home, and this change meant that there was no place for Grujic in the team. Leipzig ran out comfortable 4-2 winners as their assault on the Bundesliga title continued. He was back in the starting team as Hertha lost 3-0 away at Augsburg, though had a disappointing personal performance and picking up a yellow card early on. Hertha were defeated again, this time by Borussia Dortmund, though Grujic put in an improved display.

Liam Millar – Kilmarnock

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	1	Starts	8
Sub Appearances	3	Sub Appearances	8
Goals	0	Goals	1

Millar started Killie’s first game of the month, a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Aberdeen. The Canadian lasted 80 minutes and was replaced by former Norwich striker Simeon Jackson, who remarkably is only 32 years old?!?! Killie fought from 2-0 down at home to Hamilton to get a 2-2 draw, with Millar getting 13 minutes from the bench. It was an impressive 3-0 win over Hearts next for Angelo Alessio’s Kilmarnock at home, Millar being brought on from the bench with five minutes remaining. He got 30 minutes against Hibernian – now under the stewardship of former Sunderland manager Jack Ross – as Killie came from 2-0 down to get a respectable 2-2 draw, some fans praising Millar’s stint, the striker changing the course of the game as Killie got themselves back into it courtesy of goals from former Leeds duo Alex Bruce and Dario Del Fabro.

Nathaniel Phillips – VFB Stuttgart

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

Phillips was given a start in the first fixture of November, at home against bottom side Dynamo Dresden. The centre-back was in the thick of the action, conceding a penalty when his side were 2-0 up, for which he was booked, before assisting the third goal in Stuttgart’s 3-1 win. Perhaps unsurprisingly, he was dropped to the bench for the trip to Osnabruck, which ended in a 1-0 loss. Stuttgart were 3-0 winners over Karlsruher, Phillips coming on for the last few minutes after a red card for defender Marc Kempf.

Ovie Ejaria – Reading

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	4	Starts	16
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	1
Goals	1	Goals	3

It was a positive start for Ejaria in November, assisting Sam Baldock’s goal in Reading’s 2-1 win over Millwall, playing well and causing problems for Gary Rowett’s defenders. Ejaria produced a glorious performance as Reading swept Luton Town aside, winning 3-0 at the Madejski. The midfielder scored the second goal for Reading, cutting in on the edge of the box and unleashing a strike which nestled into the bottom corner, the highlight of another highly influential performance. Ejaria was quieter than usual as Brentford continued their play-off push with a 1-0 win over Reading, though he did have a chance after breaking free into space but couldn’t take the opportunity. Reading put in a fine performance at home to Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, unfortunately coming away with a 1-0 defeat, though Ejaria was impressive and very good technically on the ball, just lacking the end product to change the scoreline. The Englishman missed the 3-1 win over Wigan with illness, though his side came from a goal down to win at the DW courtesy of a George Puscas hat-trick.

Sheyi Ojo – Rangers

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	2	Starts	19
Sub Appearances	2	Sub Appearances	6
Goals	0	Goals	5

First up for Rangers in November was a huge fixture: the league cup semi-final with Hearts at Hampden Park. Ojo started on the right wing in a sensational Rangers performance as they booked their place in the final courtesy of a brace from Alfredo Morelos and a goal from Filip Helander. Ojo started the game brightly and ran well early on, though faded in the second half a little. Steven Gerrard’s first final as Rangers manager will be against old foes Celtic in December. The winger was an unusued substitute for arguably the biggest win of Rangers’ tenure so far – a 2-0 win over Porto in the Europa League with goals from Morelos and Steven Davis. Ojo was given half an hour from the bench in a comfortable 2-0 win away at Livingston and looked lively, taking defenders on and he could’ve had a goal of his own with a header. He was introduced from the bench late on in the 3-1 win at Hamilton, in which former Liverpool man Ryan Kent scored twice. The winger was surprisingly handed a start in a tricky Europa League tie away at Feyenoord and was largely subdued as the Gers got a respectable 2-2 draw after a brace from Morelos, getting replaced by Scott Arfield in the second half.

Ben Woodburn – Oxford United

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	0	Starts	11
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	2
Goals	0	Goals	1

Oxford’s excellent form in League One kept going with a 1-1 draw against last year’s playoff semi-finalists Portsmouth, though Woodburn’s continued recovery meant that he missed the Fratton Park clash. Woodburn’s side breezed past non-league opposition Hayes & Yeading in the FA Cup before thumping struggling Southend 4-0 at Roots Hall and booking a place in the third round of the FA Cup by beating Walsall 1-0 away from home. No appearances for Woodburn this month as his recovery from injury continues, though he is getting closer to returning to a side that are bang in-form.

Harry Wilson – Bournemouth

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	3	Starts	11
Sub Appearances	1	Sub Appearances	4
Goals	3	Goals	6

Wilson’s first assignment of the month was a start at home against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United. Bournemouth won the match 1-0, Wilson putting in a really strong performance, causing problems out wide and creating opportunities with nice deliveries into the box, applauded off the field as he was withdrawn late on. Their patchy form continued though with a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle, although they had taken the lead early on courtesy of Wilson, who arrived late in the box and swept home his strike with real confidence and precision for his fourth goal of the season. He scored on international duty for Wales in a comfortable 2-0 win over Azerbaijan, heading into an empty net after Manchester United’s Daniel James had hit the woodwork, the Welsh qualifying for the Euros after a 2-0 win over Hungary in which Wilson was used as a substitute. A home fixture with Wolves was next, and Wilson struggled to make any impact as part of a front three and was hooked at half-time, Bournemouth losing 2-1. Wilson and Bournemouth took on Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham and the former Derby man was introduced after 63 minutes with Spurs 2-0 up. The home side added a third but Wilson got Bournemouth back in the game with a brilliant free-kick that was struck beautifully into the top-right corner, before making the score 3-2 15 minutes later with a lovely sweeping finish from a central area inside the box, capping a tremendous 27-minute stint.

Kamil Grabara – Huddersfield Town

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	5	Starts	18
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Clean Sheets	1	Clean Sheets	3

Huddersfield’s Championship resurgence under Danny Cowley continued with a 1-0 win at promotion-chasing Brentford, Grabara’s third clean sheet of the season earned after superb save down low to deny defender Julian Jeanvier in the second half. They were beaten 3-1 by Preston, who are having an absolutely tremendous season, particularly at home. Grabara wasn’t especially at fault for any of the three goals, though perhaps could’ve made a better decision for the second. Huddersfield drew with Pep Clotet’s Birmingham 1-1 at the John Smith’s Stadium, Grabara being praised for commanding his area well and making a late block to preserve the point. A blistering shot from Jay Fulton which Grabara had no chance with gave Swansea the lead at the John Smith’s, but Huddersfield responded to get a 1-1 draw, the goalkeeper doing well after the early goal. The Pole had the hardest day of his time at Huddersfield so far with a 5-2 thumping at the hands of the exciting Bristol City, though he wasn’t at fault for any of the goals in a defensive horror show from the back line.

Loris Karius – Besiktas

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	5	Starts	16
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Clean Sheets	2	Clean Sheets	6

Besiktas opened the month with a 2-1 win away from home against Antalyaspor, Karius starting as his side went 2-0 up early on. The German made three saves in a good win for his side though was at fault for a Braga goal as his side’s woeful Europa League campaign continued apace with a 3-1 loss in Portugal, Karius failing to read a cross for Braga’s second goal. However, he bounced back a few days later to keep his fifth clean sheet of the season in a win over Denizlispor, former Spurs player Georges Kevin Nkoudou getting the only goal of the game. Besiktas travelled to Konyaspor and were 1-0 winners, Karius keeping his sixth clean sheet of the season. Besiktas finally got some points in the Europa League when they beat Slovan Bratislava 2-1, Karius starting as the Turkish side were victorious at home.

Allan Rodrigues de Souza – Fluminense

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	6	Starts	21
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	0

Allan played 90 minutes in the first game of the month, a 0-0 draw with Vasco da Gama. The midfielder once again played the full match in a 2-0 win over Sao Paulo. Internacional ran out 2-1 winners over Fluminense as Allan played the full 90. He got another 90 minutes in the tank as struggling Fluminense drew 1-1 with Atletico Mineiro. The Brazilian started in back-to-back 1-0 wins over CSA and Palmeiras.

Anderson Arroyo – Mlada Boleslav

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	0	Starts	0
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	0

Arroyo made a matchday squad for Mlada for the first time as they drew 2-2 with Sigma (not the band) but remained an unused substitute. He once again made the bench for Mlada’s 2-1 win against Bohemians. He failed to make the squad as Mlada were beaten 1-0 by Opava in their final fixture of the month.

Taiwo Awoniyi – Mainz 05

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

Awoniyi was an unused substitute as his team were on the receiving end of a pasting at Champions League side RB Leipzig, who beat Mainz 8-0. Naby Keita’s former team recorded the biggest win in their history in this match too. The Nigerian was an unused substitute again as his side were beaten 3-2 at home by Union Berlin. Mainz recorded an unbelievable 5-1 win away at Hoffenheim, despite having a player red carded early on. Awoniyi was given 15 minutes from the bench in the remarkable victory.

Shamal George – Marine 

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	5	Starts	11
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Clean Sheets	1	Clean Sheets	3

Marine started November with a dramatic 4-3 win away from home at Ramsbottom United. George started and made a terrific save towards the end to preserve Marine’s lead. He made a good save late on but could not prevent a 1-0 defeat to Yorkshire team Pontefract. He was named man of the match as Marine defeated Clitheroe on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Integro League Cup. The English goalkeeper saved the fourth Clitheroe penalty and had a very good game overall. His superb month continued with a clean sheet away at league leaders Workington, going about his business confidently as his side notched an impressive point on the road. George sat out a 3-2 loss to Pilkington but returned for the 4-1 win over Kendal Town, doing well to keep Marine in the lead when under pressure late on.

Rhys Williams – Kidderminster Harriers

November Stats		Season Stats
Starts	2	Starts	14
Sub Appearances	0	Sub Appearances	0
Goals	0	Goals	1

Williams missed the 1-1 draw at York City with an injury, a broken nose which also kept him out of a 4-2 home defeat to King’s Lynn. He returned for an FA Trophy clash with Curzon Ashton but could not prevent a 3-0 defeat as Harriers exited the competition. Next up was a 1-0 loss at home to Southport in which Williams started again.

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