With the 2018/19 season officially over, we here at Tribalfootballare making sure you know all about how your loan players performed throughout the campaign.
TOP 5 PERFORMERS
1. Harry Wilson, (Season-long loan) Derby County
Age: 22
Position: Winger
A simply outstanding season for the talented showman. Playing across the front line at right-wing, left-wing and attacking midfield, the youngster has grown in stature this season under Frank Lampard.
The number 7 featured 49 times for the Rams in a successful season that ultimately ended in heartbreak in the Championship Play-Off final. Wilson scored an astonishing 18 goals and assisted 6 in a personal best season for the 22 year-old.
With his technical ability always apparent, Wilson has improved his polish in his game both with his finishing and creating. Wilson is a free-kick specialist who has been a threat from dead ball situations scoring 5 directly from set pieces. Wilson is also dangerous from long range scoring 9 goals from outside the box. The Welshman has a cool head with 4 goals from the penalty spot. The pacey winger has fully imprinted his class onto the English game and it will be fascinating to see where he plays next season. He might get a go at the Reds but if he is sold, it will be for a hefty fee.
Rating: 9.5/10
2. Ryan Kent, (Season-long loan) Rangers
Age: 22
Position: Winger
Another talented figure yet to find his feet at his parent club, Ryan Kent had an impressive season in Scotland under Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
Playing as a constant presence on the left-wing, the dribbling maestro scored 6 goals and registered 9 assists in his 43 appearances across all competitions. Kent used his power and pace consistently all season in a side that finished second in the league. The man who can shoot with both feet has expressed a desire to remain at Rangers next season under the tutelage of such a great manager, so Liverpool will have some decisions to make.
Rating: 7.5/10
3. Marko Grujic, (Season-long loan) Hertha BSC
Age: 23
Position: Central Midfield
Despite a recurring ankle ligament injury that plagued his season, the defensive midfielder proved an important cog in Hertha Berlin's midfield. Only making 23 appearances, the Serbian scored 5 goals from deep in midfield and notched 1 assist. Grujic had three man-of-the-match performances in his side that finished 11th in the league. Operating at a pass accuracy of 81.9%, Grujic averaged 2 tackles per game, 1.3 interceptions, 1.4 successful dribbles, 2.1 shots per game and 3.2 aerial duels won. Standing at 191cm, the midfielder has been a strong presence in the air, a good reader of the play with interceptions and intelligent through balls, and hasn't been afraid to shoot from distance. A solid player coming into his prime, the Reds will have some thinking to do, with the German side keen to retain his services for next season.
Rating: 7/10
4. Herbie Kane, (Season-long loan) Doncaster Rovers
Age: 20
Position: Central Midfield
Maybe the most unknown name on this list, maybe even to Liverpool fans, has been the impressive season of midfielder Herbie Kane. In his first loan move as a professional footballer, Kane joined the League One side for the 18/19 season and did nothing but excel. In his side that finished sixth and unfortunately lost to Charlton in the play-off semi final, Kane was a constant presence in central midfield. In his 49 appearances, Kane scored a startling 7 goals and a stunning 10 assists. Standing at 175cm, the youngster might not be as distinguished as his peers on this list, but keep an eye out for his progression following his breakout season.
Rating: 8.5/10
5. Taiwo Awoniyi, (2 six-month loans) KAA Gent / Mouscron
Age: 21
Position: Centre-Forward
The last place on this list goes to the controversial case of Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi. Since joining the club four years ago, the youngster has been unable to obtain a work permit, seeing him being loaned out in successive spells. This season saw the striker move to Belgium for two seperate loans, one with Gent and the other with Mouscron. Awoniyi started the season slowly with Gent, only scoring 3 goals (0 in the league) from his 22 appearances. However in the back end of the season he came home like a house on fire for familiar side Mouscron. The powerful 21-year old scored 11 goals and 3 assists from his 16 appearances, seeing his side rise from 15th (1 place above relegation) to finish in a comfromatable 10th. This spell of amazing form included a run of a goal in 5 consecutive games. This impressive second half of the season would obviously peak the attention of his parent club, but with his visa situation, it might be time to see the youngster flourish elsewhere.
Rating: 8/10
FULL LIST OF OTHER LIVERPOOL LOANEES + RANKINGS
MATURE AGE LOANEES
Nathaniel Clyne, (Six-month loan) Bournemouth
Age: 28
Position: Right Back
Since joining Bournemouth in January, Clyne made 15 appearances as a regular in defence. Only played in 4 wins and registered 1 assist. Will likely be sold in the summer.
Rating: 5/10
Loris Karius, (2 Season loan) Besiktas
Age: 25
Position: Goalkeeper
Was the Turkish club's first choice goalkeeper but had a disappointing season. In his 35 appearances, he conceded 49 goals and kept a measly 6 clean sheets. He is still contracted at Besiktas next season.
Rating: 3.5/10
Adam Bogdan, (Season-long loan), Hibernian
Age: 31
Position: Goalkeeper
The veteran made 25 appearances across all competitions in Scotland. He conceded 32 goals and kept a paltry 8 clean sheets. Of course at 31, his future at the reds will be limited.
Rating: 4/10
YOUTH PROSPECTS (U23)
Ovie Ejaria (2 six-month loans) Rangers, Reading
Age: 21
Position: Central Midfield
In Scotland, Ejaria featured 28 times across all competitions as a mainstay in midfield, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist. Back in England, Ejaria made 16 Championship appearances for Reading, where he scored 1 goal and registered 2 assists.
Rating: 5/10
Sheyi Ojo, (Season-long loan) Stade Reims
Age: 21
Position: Winger
Ojo managed only 15 appearances in the Ligue 1 campaign. 3 Starts and 12 off the bench, playing a total of 458 minutes. He started all 3 cup matches scoring 1 and assisting 1. Overall disappointing in terms of output, but involved at the top level with a team who finished 8th in the league.
Rating: 4/10
Connor Randall, (Six-month loan) Rochdale
Age: 23
Position: Right-Back
Joined League One Side Rochdale for six-months didn't turn out as expected for the young full-back. Only managed 110 minutes across all competitions.
Rating: 2/10
Ben Woodburn, (Six-month loan) Sheffield United
Age: 19
Position: Attacker
Woodburn appeared 7 times, 1 start and 6 off the bench for a total of 154 minutes. The talented youngster also played the full 90 minutes in the Blades only match in the competition, where he also tucked away his penalty in his side 3:4 penalty shootout loss. Considering his age and the quality of the team he played in, a reasonably successful short loan for the youngster.
Rating: 6/10
Pedro Chirivella (Six-month loan) Extremadura
Age: 22
Position: Central-Midfield
The midfielder did not even make the bench during his six months in the Spanish 2nd Division
Rating: 0/10
Allan, (2 Six-month loans) Eintracht Frankfurt, Fluminense
Age: 22
Position: Central-Midfield
Only managed 4 appearances in Germany before injury and a further 6 appearances in Brazil in the 2nd half of the year. 0 goals, 0 assists.
Rating: 3/10
Kamil Grabara, (Six-month loan) Aarhus GF
Age: 20
Position: Goalkeeper
Quickly became the number one keeper for the Danish Side and making 16 appearances. He conceded 18 goals and Kept 6 clean sheets.
Rating: 5/10
Anderson Arroya, (Season-long loan) KAA Gent
Age: 19
Position: Left-Back
Did not get near the bench and pushed to the periphery in an indifferent season in Belgium.
Rating: 0/10
Liam Miller, (Five-month loan) Kilmarnock
Age: 19
Position: Centre-Forward
Made 14 Appearances in Scotland during his short spell scoring 1 goal and registering 1 assist.
Rating: 4/10
