Only five Liverpool players were with their respective clubs this week as the end of the European season is very nearly complete. Here is how the remaining boys got on.
Danny Ward – Huddersfield Town
After missing the first leg of the playoff through suspension, Danny Ward was entrusted with the responsibility of seeing his side through the second. The Welshman put in a stellar performance, after the previous game ended 0-0, as he kept his side in the contest on numerous occasions. The match finished 1-1 after normal time, and with no away goals rule, extra time and eventually penalties were required to separate Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield. Ward went on to save two penalties, the second one being the decider, to send his club to Wembley. After making the final save, Ward sprinted the length of the pitch in order to celebrate in front of the travelling faithful. This makes Ward the second loanee to visit Wembley this season after Jack Dunn’s unsuccessful trip with Tranmere Rovers. Huddersfield will play Reading on the 29th May.
Taiwo Awoniyi – NEC Nijmegen
Awoniyi has turned himself into something of a super sub in the last few weeks, as he once again came off the bench to net his third goal in as many substitute appearances. The young Nigerian picked the ball up in a lot of congestion before cutting smartly onto his right foot and curled the ball inside the far post from the edge of the box. The goal came in the 88th minute and ensured his side ran out 3-1 winners over FC Emmen in the first leg of the relegation playoff. He was then an unused sub during the 1-0 second leg victory. Nijmegen now face NAC Breda in the next round.
Andre Wisdom – Red Bull Salzburg
Wisdom missed last week’s fixture with an abductor injury was back in at centre-back for the comfortable 2-0 over Admira. He put it another solid performance, as he looked comfortable and stable while helping his side to yet another clean sheet. Although the rest of the season will just be exhibition matches Red Bull Salzburg, Wisdom will want to carry on impressing ahead of next season.
Allan Rodrigues – Hertha Berlin
Hertha Berlin finished their season with a dismal 6-2 thrashing against Bayer Leverkusen. Allan put in a poor display before he was eventually pulled off at half time when his team were already 3-0 down. Berlin want him to stay on next season and considering they’ve managed to finish in a Europa League qualification spot, that is looking likely. Playing in Europe will make it easier for Liverpool to get a work permit for Allan as they continue to struggle to bring him to England for the first time since signing him. It has been an up and down season for the Brazilian who has looked very accomplished on occasion but ultimately didn’t pick up a goal or assist during his 16 appearances.
Jon Flanagan – Burnley
Flanagan’s disappointing loan spell finished with him being an unused substitute, a scenario that he is has been more than used to throughout this campaign.
