We round up how Liverpool’s loanees fared for their temporary clubs throughout the week, with a mixed bag of action at their temporary clubs.
Mario Balotelli
Liverpool’s Italian striker netted his first goal of his return to AC Milan on Tuesday night, helping his side to a 3-2 win at Udinese.
Balotelli – who turned in another good all-round performance – fired Milan ahead rifling a free-kick that he won himself into the top right corner after just five minutes, and he was a key reason why the Rossoneri raced into a 3-0 lead as he produced an influential and mature display.
"Balotelli is back!" – @FinallyMario shows @LFC fans what they're missing with a superb free-kick for @acmilan http://t.co/nLb4N4G0TY
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 22, 2015
The 25-year-old was kicked time and again by the home side but never once responded with anything other than a raised smile, and his hold-up play, touch and creativity proved too much for Udinese to handle on the night.
After a positive performance in midweek, Balotelli continued in his striking role for Milan’s trip to Genoa on Sunday – a game that ended in 1-0 defeat for Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men.
Adriano Galliani confirms #Italy Coach Antonio Conte “spoke to Sinisa Mihajlovic” about Mario Balotelli http://t.co/S7axgSXH0O #ACMilan
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) September 27, 2015
The boyhood Milan fan didn’t enjoy the same impact on the game this time out, but his good form could see him rewarded by a return to the Italy squad by manager Antonio Conte, with Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani claiming the Azzuri manager spoke to the Mihajlovic about the star striker’s progress.
Markovic’s assist and impressive performance last weekend saw the Serbian keep his shirt in the Fenerbache attack for the Istanbul derby on Sunday night.
The 21-year-old turned in another strong display despite a 3-2 defeat to rivals Besiktas on the right side of Fener’s offensive three, causing the home side all manner of problems with his electric dribbling that almost saw him claim a sensational assist.
https://twitter.com/LFCMostar/status/648321407244349440
Picking the ball up deep, the Serbia international drove straight through the heart of the home side with lightning pace, before sending in a delightful cross from the left side of the box that the arriving Fernandao couldn’t reach to convert.
Frustratingly for the in-form Serbian, he picked up an injury after just 37 minutes which forced him to be substituted, handing a huge blow to Fenerbache who tasted defeat in the derby for the first time since March 2013.
https://twitter.com/Turkish_Futbol/status/648273480820072448
Lawrence Vigouroux
After being benched for what manager Mark Cooper labelled “disciplinary matters” on Saturday, Vigouroux’s season-long loan at the County Ground has come to an abrupt and shock end.
The Chilean stopper had become Town No.1 on arrival after joining in the summer, and he had repaid the faith shown in him by Cooper with excellent form in his nine appearances for the League One outfit this season.
Remains to be see whether #stfc have sent Vigouroux back or Liverpool have recalled him. Either one, Cooper wasn't happy on Sat about it.
— Andrew Steele (@andrewsteeled) September 28, 2015
But after “disciplinary matters”, which is reported to have stemmed from Vigouroux turning up late to training last week, the loan has come to a sour end with the U21 goalkeeper having been recalled just two months into the temporary agreement by Liverpool, where he is said to have had meetings over the matter on Monday morning,
Seemingly Liverpool have recalled the player after not being happy at Swindon’s disciplinary process.
Luis Alberto
After his good form saw him score twice in as many games, Alberto dropped to the bench for Deportivo on Thursday night and he was disappointingly an unused substitute for Victor Sanchez’s men who secured a 2-1 away win against Real Betis.
Seguimos sumando. Muy felices con veros disfrutar. Ahora a por el Granada! #VamosDeportivo #NoSePara pic.twitter.com/vA35vrdKjX
— Luis Alberto Romero (@10_luisalberto) September 27, 2015
Sanchez freshened up his side for the clash against Espanyol on Sunday, including reinstating Alberto into the starting XI, and the Reds loaned man repaid the manager’s decision in the 3-0 win, claiming another assist.
Operating from the left of an attacking midfield trio, Alberto produced a perfectly weighted through pass as Deportivo counter-attacked, releasing Lucas to slot him his first of the afternoon to double the home side’s lead, capping off another strong all-round performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjpicsIDTcw
Talented teenager Ojo was an unused substitute for Wolves in midweek as they crashed out of the League Cup to Middlesbrough following a heavy 3-0 defeat to their Championship rivals.
Despite the poor result in midweek, Ojo again started on the bench on Saturday afternoon, in Wolves’ disappointing 1-1 draw against newly promoted Preston.
But with Kenny Jackett’s side trailing 1-0 even though the home team had only 10 men, and later, nine, the Wolves boss put Ojo on in the 65th minute to help turn the game around, and the Liverpool loanee did exactly that making a big impact from a wide-left position.
Credit to Preston who defended magnificently with a passionate home crowd behind them. Ojo made a big difference for Wolves.
— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) September 26, 2015
The teenager brought real drive, positivity and creation to a struggling side in his cameo, creating numerous chances – though not directly involved in Kevin MacDonald’s late equaliser – and Ojo will hope the lively cameo that “pleased” Jackett hands him a start next game.
Spoken to KJ, disappointed with draw, wants 2nd half replicated on Tuesday at Fulham, pleased with Byrne and Ojo (1/2)…
— Tim Spiers (@TimSpiers) September 26, 2015
Danny Ward & Ryan McLaughlin
https://twitter.com/dan_ward52/status/644878495349374976
The Aberdeen duo took part in the Dons’ disappointing Scottish League Cup exit to Hibernian on Wednesday night, losing 2-0 at Easter Road.
Ward could do little about either goal, but the Welshman turned in a less impressive performance than his recent high level has produced, with some rash decision making and loose handling on a night which saw McLaughlin enter as an early substitute and produce a quiet performance at right back.
McLaughlin dropped to the bench for his unimpressive Cup display on Saturday as Aberdeen returned to SPL action and tasted defeat in the for the first time as they went down 2-1 at Inverness.
Ward made a number of saves to keep the score-line down, despite conceding two goals he could do little about, with it taking two stunning strikers to beat the Wales ‘keeper who continues to impress at Pittodrie.
Allan Rodriguez de Souza
Liverpool’s young Brazilian recovered from injury sustained last weekend to produce a man-of-the-match display in which he assisted twice and scored directly from a corner for SJK in their comfortable 3-0 win over HJK Helsinki.
The 18-year-old’s early shot was parried allowing Timo Tahvanainen to tap home the opener before he doubled his side’s lead with a quite remarkable effort from a corner.
Swinging the ball inwards with his cultured left foot, Allan’s deep delivery beat everyone piling in and curled straight into the far, top corner of the net for a remarkable goal to double his side’s lead and his second goal of the season.
A then perfectly delivered corner found the head of teammate Ariel Ngueukam who headed powerfully home.
The Rest
Tiago Ilori
The Portuguese defender was again left out of match-day involvement by Tim Sherwood in midweek for the club’s League Cup derby match against Birmingham which Aston Villa claimed a 1-0 win in, and he is still yet to feature for his loan club after missing the Villains’ loss at Anfield due to being ineligible to face his parent club.
Andre Wisdom
Having missed his loan club’s fixture at Anfield, Wisdom made a return to action in midweek for Norwich in their convincing 3-0 League Cup win against his former club, West Brom.
The defender completed all 90 minutes of the game at Carrow Road, where he played right back and impressed with a solid defensive display, helping the Canaries to their first clean sheet of the season, a result he clearly enjoyed.
https://twitter.com/andrewisdom47x/status/646794515542503428
Despite his solid performance in midweek, Wisdom dropped back to the bench for Norwich’s trip to West Ham on Saturday and he remained an unused substitute in the 2-2 draw with Stephen Whittaker Alex Neil’s preferred right back.
Jordan Williams
Williams was the only Reds loanee in action for Swindon Town in their 2-1 defeat against Colchester – with Stewart injured and Vigouroux dropped.
As Wales boss Chris Coleman watched on, the natural midfielder played in the centre of a back three and endured a difficult afternoon, though he was not directly at fault for either goal in a loss that condemned Town to a third straight league defeat.
Sergi Canos
Despite Canos’ game-changing display last weekend, the Spanish midfielder started amongst the substitutes again at Griffin Park for Brentford’s 2-1 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday.
However, with his side trailing 1-0, the Reds youngster did come on as second half substitute for the remaining 20 minutes, but with his side down to 10 men, Canos didn’t enjoy the same impact on proceedings as last time out, but he earned praise for his desire and work-rate after entering.
Gutted about the result today…. Hard to take but we will do it right on Tuesday vs Birmingham. Fans????? #brentfordfc #bees ?
— Sergi Canós Tenés (@sergicanos) September 26, 2015
After the 18-year-old “run the show” for Coventry last week, the Reds loaned man kept his place in the Sky Blues’ side on Saturday as they slumped to a disappointing 2-1 loss against Bury.
15 – Kent skins three players then hits an effort over from 25-yards. It was deflected over, exciting stuff from the #LFC loanee. 0-0 #PUSB
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) September 26, 2015
The teenager was again deployed in an attacking midfield role by Tony Mowbray but despite some lively moments in which he displayed some of his sublime skill and creativity, he endured a quieter afternoon, unable to prevent his side slipping to defeat.
Semed Yesil
German striker Yesil played the second half and grabbed an assist for Markkus Babbel’s Luzern in their 2-1 victory over bottom-of-the-league Vaduz on Wednesday night.
Minutes after coming on, Yesil broke the offside trap, drove to the 18-yard box, dribbled inside and laid the ball off for Marco Schneuwly to fire home from inside the danger area.
And building on his midweek showing, Yesil scored the winner on his first start for Luzern, who overcame FC Zurich 1-0 on Sunday, with a composed finish that moved his side to fourth in the table.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q47nAsU2jMQ
Lloyd Jones
Liverpool’s young centre back completed another 90 minutes for Blackpool on Saturday, but couldn’t prevent his side slipping to a 2-0 defeat that leaves the Tangerines bottom of the table.
While it would be harsh to blame Jones for either goal, the Reds defender certainly didn’t cover himself in glory on both occasions, allowing Shrewsbury striker Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro to run off him too easily twice, which the Shrews’ striker ruthlessly punished.
Academy product Wilson came on as a second half substitute for Crewe in their 1-1 draw against Walsall on Saturday.
Alex boss Steve Davis introduced the Wales international with 15 minutes to go with the scores level, but the youngster had little time to impact and be the man to make the match-winning difference.
Joe Maguire
The Reds left back was left out of match-day involvement for Leyton Orient on Saturday for the 1-1 draw against Northampton Town.
It’s a surprising move considering it was the last fixture he was eligible to play before the expiry of his one-month youth loan, and it adds to speculation that the 19-year-old has returned to Anfield but could instead be loaned to League One side Barnsley in search of increased game time.
The Nigerian striker was left out of match-day involvement for Frankfurt on Wednesday night as the beat Union Berlin 3-2 but he made his first appearance on the bench for his loan club on Sunday as they lost 2-0 against Freiburg.
Despite his lack of game time, Nigeria U23 boss Samson Siasia wants to include the 18-year-old in his squad for the upcoming U23 African Cup of Nations qualifying matches.
