It was a better week of action for the loaned members of Jurgen Klopp’s squad, with nine loanees playing for their temporary clubs and only three frustrated in their quest for match action.
This week’s big positive was Lazar Markovic, who started two games of good action by notching his first Fenerbache goal in a 1-1 draw against Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday.
The Serbian made a welcome start on the left of Fener’s front three – playing 83 minutes – but it was from the right that the 21-year-old put his side ahead, racing onto a direct ball that Celtic ‘keeper Craig Gordon missed, allowing Markovic to slot home perfectly from a tight angle.
"Not a moment @celticfc will want to remember!" @LFC loanee @LMarkec50 opens the scoring for @Fenerbahce_EN. #UEL https://t.co/AbJCIpxvfn
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 10, 2015
Despite his lively showing in Europe, Markovic dropped back to the bench on Sunday against Istanbul Buyuksehir, but he played 70 minutes after replacing the injured Alper Potuk mid-way through the first period.
https://twitter.com/TFFSuperLig/status/676157783037841408
Entering on the right side of Vitor Pereira’s attack, the wide-man endured a quieter performance in the 1-0 win, but he still showed in flashes the devastating impact he can have cutting through opposing sides with his dribbling skill, something he will hope to display more often in upcoming games.
Starting his fifth consecutive game for Norwich, Andre Wisdom didn’t enjoy the best of afternoons on Saturday in the Canaries’ 1-1 draw against Everton.
The Reds defender was withdrawn at half time – more tactically related than performance – after a flat first half from Alex Niel’s men, and the second half upturn that followed the adjustment as the Canaries battled back to claim a draw could see Wisdom fighting to keep his place in the XI.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, Tiago Ilori was left out of Aston Villa’s matchday squad for the visit of Arsenal on Sunday, with boss Remi Garde revealing the Portuguese defender needs to improve his fitness to become a serious option for the first team.
Segundo cambio en el Camp Nou para el #DÉPOR, entra Luis Alberto por Jona. Seguimos 1-0 #DaleDÉ pic.twitter.com/4T1v6E8I6G
— RC Deportivo (@RCDeportivo) December 12, 2015
After six weeks out of action, Luis Alberto made a welcome return for Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday, helping his side battle back to claim a priceless point against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.
The Spaniard entered in the 57th minute with his side trailing, and though they fell further behind, Alberto helped his side fight back to earn a 2-2 draw with a positive cameo display in his first 32 minutes of action since October.
Championship duo Sheyi Ojo and Sergi Canos endured contrasting fortunes for their respective clubs this weekend.
Ojo was left out of the matchday squad for the second game running at Molineux as Wolves drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest on Friday night, but Canos enjoyed a better outing, playing 68 minutes for Brentford in their west London derby draw with Fulham.
The Spanish midfielder almost scored after a fine move, only to see his goal-bound effort blocked, and he picked up a booking in a frenetic clash at Craven Cottage, where he played on the right of the Bees’ attack before being replaced with his side trailing.
Danny Ward’s return to top form at Aberdeen continues, with the stopper keeping a successive clean sheet to help his side overcome Hearts 1-0 at Pittodrie on Saturday.
The Welsh ‘keeper once again made big saves at big moments – one fine stop in particular to keep his side level mid-way through the second half – and Ward’s outstanding work proved vital as Adam Rooney’s late penalty sealed three points for Derek McInnes’ side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-TT6kWIr0w
Ryan McLaughlin‘s loan at Aberdeen has been terminated early, with the Northern Irishman returning to train at the academy. He isn’t eligible to play though until January.
In League One, Ryan Kent played 20 minutes as a second half substitute for Coventry on Sunday, as his side went down 1-0 against Sheffield United.
The youngster turned in a lively cameo display on the right of the Sky Blues attack, seeing an effort blocked after dangerous run, but he couldn’t provide the inspiration for Tony Mowbray’s side who slumped to league defeat for the first time in 10 games.
Lawrence Vigouroux helped Swindon continue their recent revival, producing a good performance as his side recorded a third straight win, a 2-1 success over Rochdale on Saturday.
https://twitter.com/LawrenceV93/status/676102045951205376
The Chilean stopper drew plaudits for dealing well with tough conditions at the County Ground, where he produced some important saves – getting down well to palm away a well struck free-kick – and Vigouroux was unlucky not to prevent the goal conceded, clawing the ball away just after it supposedly crossed the line.
Academy product Will Marsh was left out of first team action at Sheffield Wednesday, instead playing 90 minutes for the club’s development squad against Barnsley U21’s in midweek.
Liverpool’s two strikers in Europe continue to see match action limited, with Samed Yesil introduced for the final three minutes of Luzern’s 4-3 win against Aarau, while Taiwo Awoniyi was again left out of matchday involvement for Frankfurt’s 3-1 loss to Leipzig.
Liverpool’s loaned players this week
- Markovic – Fenerbache – Played 90 mins vs. Celtic & 70 mins vs. Buyuksehir
- Wisdom – Norwich – Played 45 mins vs. Everton
- Ilori – Aston Villa – Left out of matchday squad
- Alberto – Deportivo – Played 32 mins vs. Barcelona
- Ojo – Wolves – Left out of matchday squad
- Canos – Brentford – Played 68 mins vs. Fulham
- Ward – Aberdeen – Played 90 mins vs. Hearts
- Kent – Coventry – Played 20 mins vs. Sheffield United
- Vigouroux – Swindon – Played 90 mins vs. Rochdale
- Marsh – Sheffield Wednesday – Played 90 mins vs. Barnsley U21
- Yesil – Luzern – Played 3 mins vs. Aarau
- Awoniyi – Frankfurt – Left out of matchday squad
Injuries
Mario Balotelli, Jordan Williams, Kevin Stewart & Lloyd Jones all missed another week of action as they continue to be side-lined with their respective issues.
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