Liverpool’s transfer problem explained as loan deal reveals difficulties
Liverpool have made extensive use of the loan transfer market this season with mixed results
Liverpool fans are hoping the imminent arrival of Alexis Mac Allister is the first in a string of high-profile signings this summer as Jurgen Klopp looks to reform his side after a season of underperforming.
But there is one area where the Reds are sure to be busy during the transfer window.
Once again, Liverpool will look to give some Academy players exposure and senior experience by negotiating loan deals elsewhere in the summer.
It can often be a harbinger of things to come. In reality, few players have returned from a loan spell and built a career at Liverpool, certainly not while rising through the academy ranks. Harvey Elliott is a recent exception, having made a steady break into the first team after a season on loan in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers, while Nat Phillips capitalized on his luck following his return from Stuttgart.
Harvey Elliott is a recent exception, having made a steady break into the first team after a season on loan in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers, while Nat Phillips capitalized on his luck following his return from Stuttgart.
And some have excelled elsewhere. At the start of the Premier League era, Jay Spearing, Martin Kelly, Jonjo Shelvey and Stephen Warnock all had good careers, although they mostly spent away from Anfield. And Harry Wilson is now a Fulham regular. Elliott’s lasting impact shows that a move on loan can still be very beneficial when the talent is already there – something Fabio Carvalho should perhaps consider – and Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff are more ready to move on to the next generation to provide opportunities.
Liverpool’s loanees have had contrasting experiences this season. A significant number of players were canceled after difficult spells away from home in early January – including centre-backs Billy Koumetio and Rhys Williams and striker Max Woltman – and found their form as they helped the Under-21s finish runners-up in Premier League 2.
The starkest example of this is Owen Beck, who was first loaned out to Famalicao after missing a ball for barely a month and was just a four-time starting XI for Bolton Wanderers in the League 1 after Liverpool, following his exceptional January recall for the U21s. .
On the other hand, Leighton Clarkson shone at Aberdeen while Conor Bradley had more success at Bolton and featured in the Papa John Trophy triumph over Plymouth Argyle at Wembley Stadium. Luke Chambers impressed by helping Kilmarnock stay in the Scottish Premiership after moving there at New Year. Tyler Morton has now played over 40 games for Blackburn Rovers.
“You can think of a loan move in different ways,” Under-21 coach Barry Lewtas said. “I guess some people would view Leighton Clarkson on loan at Blackburn last season as a failure, but he learned a lot there. Would he have had as much success as in Aberdeen without this experience? “How you learn and adapt to what you have is key. There are players here who didn’t take their first loan and it wasn’t a huge success, but either they came on the next loan or they developed here.” Yes, you want a loan like Conor Bradley, who is at Wembley won a trophy and won many player awards. But that doesn’t mean the boy who didn’t play as much didn’t learn as well. You would have learned a lot about yourself. “
Adds Lewtas, “Dealing with setbacks is part of the journey and there are guys who had obstacles along the way but overcame them.” Watch Owen Beck. He’s back and the second half of the season has been great. They don’t make bad players, but sometimes they don’t adjust well.
“I followed what Jarell did on loan,” Lewtas says. “He has made tremendous progress. His performance for us in the first half of the season was a big improvement on the previous season, and it’s thanks to him.
“He’s conscientious about the parts of the game he wants to improve and develop, and I knew that if he could make these changes it would really improve his game. His ability to control the back line has been a really positive factor in his development. And he he demonstrated at Bristol Rovers”.
