Harry Wilson the pick of Liverpool’s weekend loanees in big Championship promotion clash

December 14, 2018
Jack Lusby

Liverpool could have nine loanees in action this weekend across seven leagues, with Harry Wilson‘s efforts to push Derby County to promotion the standout story.

The Reds don’t take to the field until the late afternoon kickoff in the Premier League on Sunday, with Man United visiting Anfield for a high-profile.

Jurgen Klopp‘s side can ensure they remain top of the league with three points over Jose Mourinho’s hit-and-miss United, and after beating Napoli in midweek they will be confident of doing so.

Over in the Championship, Derby are looking for their third consecutive victory in a huge game at Pride Park, taking on Nottingham Forest.

The Rams head into the weekend fourth in the second-tier table, level on points with third-placed Sheffield United but only three above Forest in seventh, and with kickoff not until Monday night the pressure will be on.

Wilson has been in stunning form of late, scoring five goals in his last six games in the Championship, and he will no doubt play a key role as Derby look to keep up the pace at the expense of one of their rivals.

North of the border, Adam Bogdan could deliver a blow to former manager Brendan Rodgers as he aims to make his 15th appearance in the Scottish Premiership for Hibernian.

The Hungarian pulled out of last weekend’s 1-0 win over Hamilton Academical after picking up an injury during the warmup, but the hope will be that he returns to full fitness for a big clash in Edinburgh.

That victory was Hibs’ first in all competitions since October 6, however, and their first clean sheet since a 0-0 draw with Hearts on Halloween, and it could be that Neil Lennon faces a big decision over whether to retain Ofir Marciano.

The likelihood is Bogdan will return if fit, however, as Hibs seek their first win over Celtic since December 2012.

Rodgers’ side are currently top of the Scottish Premiership, with a two-point lead over Rangers and Kilmarnock having played one and two games fewer than their title rivals respectively.

Back in the Premier League, Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl is waiting on the fitness of Danny Ings ahead of Sunday’s huge home game against Arsenal.

Hasenhuttl lost his first game in charge of the Saints at Cardiff last weekend, with Ings sitting out for the fifth consecutive fixture due to a hamstring injury.

While the extent is less severe, this is a similar situation to when Klopp was appointment by Liverpool back in 2015, with Ings sidelined while his new manager began to implement a demanding new approach.

This could be a big setback for Ings, but if he is passed fit for the weekend he could make a real statement of intent.

He is still Southampton‘s top scorer this season, with five goals in 12 games.