1 week ago
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Liverpool has 10 first-team players currently out on loan, with performances ranging from impressive breakthroughs to struggles.
The Reds have sent a number of young and fringe players across Europe in search of regular first-team soccer, hoping their development will benefit both the individuals and the club in the long term, and Liverpool.com has been keeping a watchful eye on each loanee.
Among those on loan is Kostas Tsimikas, who is struggling at Roma, having been left on the bench for the club’s last two matches against Inter Milan and Viktoria Plzen. He started brightly, securing an assist in his first start for the club. But against Lille, he lost the ball in a dangerous area and was subbed at halftime.
Another player not having a great time on loan is Harvey Elliott. Elliott has mostly been confined to the bench in Aston Villa’s recent matches. The 22-year-old’s only Premier League start against Fulham ended with him being substituted at halftime, and he remained an unused substitute against Go Ahead Eagles.
Unai Emery says his lack of game time is due to him still adapting to the style of play.
Another player having a nightmare loan spell is Isaac Mabaya, who joined Wigan Athletic early in the window. The 20-year-old defender was stretchered off just 29 minutes into his first senior start during Latics' League Cup clash against Notts County. He was expected to return to Liverpool.
Elsewhere, Vitezslav Jaros, who joined Ajax on loan over the summer, has secured the starting goalkeeper spot under former Liverpool coach John Heitinga.
Despite his strong performances, Ajax has had a frustrating start to the season. The Dutch side remains unbeaten in the Eredivisie but has drawn four of its eight matches and suffered defeats to Inter Milan and Marseille in the Champions League.
Another Liverpool goalkeeper gaining valuable experience on loan is Harvey Davies, who will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes during his spell at Crawley Town. The League Two side is currently hovering just a few points above the relegation zone.
Davies, however, has made a positive impact, cementing himself as Crawley’s first-choice goalkeeper and keeping a couple of clean sheets. His progress suffered a minor setback, though, as a finger injury forced him to miss the recent defeat to Cambridge United.
Owen Beck, however, is yet to make his debut for Derby County. The Liverpool defender has yet to make his debut this season after picking up a calf injury during the warm-up against Burton Albion. He missed the latest defeat to QPR as the club is keen not to rush his recovery.
Lewis Koumas is yet to secure any goal contributions for Birmingham City despite a previous successful loan spell at Stoke City. The 20-year-old has featured 10 times for the Blues so far.
Luca Stephenson impressed for the Reds in pre-season before returning to Dundee United for a second spell. He has made eight appearances so far with two goals and one assist in the Scottish Premier League.
James Balagzi has also been impressing at Forest Green Rovers. The 22-year-old has made seven appearances for the National League side, scoring a last-minute equalizer against Scunthorpe last month.
James McConnell also joined Jaros and Heitinga at Ajax this summer. He impressed on his debut against PEC Zwolle but was sidelined briefly last month due to a minor issue. He has made five appearances so far.
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