As the new league season edges ever closer, transfer speculation has been at the front of everybody’s minds for the last few months. However, something that may have slipped under the radar are the players going out on loan deals. In some cases, it’s youngsters needing match experience and in others, it’s players desperately needing work permits in order to make it to Anfield. So let’s take a look at the current Liverpool loanees, although keep an eye out for more deals to be done over the next couple of weeks.
Brooks Lennon – Real Salt Lake City
If you kept up to date with the loan reports last season, you’ll remember that Brooks Lennon has spent the 2017 MLS season on loan with Real Salt Lake City. Lennon missed a month in the middle of the campaign, however, as he was in South Korea representing the USA in the Under 20 World Cup. It was a decent tournament for the young winger as his country made it to the quarter finals and he himself picked up a couple of goals. Since the last loan report he’s played eight league games but the only real noteworthy contribution he has made was an assist in the 6-2 victory away to LA Galaxy last month. He did feature in the 2-1 friendly loss to Manchester United on July 18th, when he came on as a first half substitute. This was a part of a bizarre move when RSL substituted all 11 players just half an hour into proceedings. With 10 games left in the MLS season, and his team sitting eighth in the Western Conference, Lennon will be hoping to make an impact as RSL push for the playoff positions.
Connor Randall – Hearts
The Academy graduate has been with Liverpool since he was six-years-old and was picked up by Hearts last week in an attempt to develop his skills with more first team football. Randall was on the bench for his new side a day after the loan deal was announced. However, he didn’t make it on the pitch and watched his side crash out of the Betfred Cup, after losing to Dunfermline on penalties. Randall made is debut on Saturday, when he came on as a 62nd minute substitute during the 4-1 loss to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic.
Taiwo Awoniyi – Royal Excel Mouscron
Taiwo Awoniyi is set to embark on his third loan spell since joining Liverpool in 2015. After spending last season in Holland with NEC Nijmegen, and the season before that in Germany with FSV Frankfurt, Awoniyi has arrived in Belgium to represent top-flight outfit, Royal Excel Mouscron. He is spending so much time out on loan in order to qualify for a work permit, which will allow him to move to England and train with Liverpool for the first time. Mouscron lost 5-2 at home to Charleroi on Saturday but Awoniyi wasn’t named in the squad.
Pedro Chirivella – Willem II
The young Spaniard is returning to the Eredivisie after spending the latter half of last season with Go Ahead Eagles. It was a decent season for Chirivella who managed to consistently put in good performances despite Go Ahead eventually being relegated. Chirivella scored the third goal in Liverpool’s 4-0 preseason win over Tranmere Rovers last month before signing a deal with the Dutch side a couple of weeks later. Willem II kick off their league season on the 13th with a home tie against Excelsior.
Shamal George – Carlisle United
The 19-year-old has joined up with League Two side Carlisle United in the hunt for game time in order to try and further his development. George signed a contract extension with Liverpool before heading to Cumbria to join up with the team he’ll be staying with until January. Carlisle’s season didn’t get off to the best of starts as they lost 2-1 to Swindon Town at the weekend. George was an unused substitute this time around but the Carlisle staff will be looking to make the most out of their loan signing.
More loan deals should be finalised before the end of the window with players like Sheyi Ojo, Ovie Ejaria and Allan Rodrigues expected to depart. There’s also the question of where Mamadou Sakho is going to end up. The future of the Frenchman is forever in doubt, although Liverpool have said he is not available for loan. However, if a permanent move cannot be sorted they may not be left with much other choice.
