Liverpool FC Thread #158:- We are Liverpool. This means more.

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The story of Liverpool's loanees so far - including hits, misses, record makers and work permits

The work at Liverpool is never restricted to just one aspect.

As Jurgen Klopp continues to build a squad capable of challenging at the very top level - both at home and in Europe - he also maintains an eye on the future.

A whole host of players departed Anfield on loan this summer.

Some left with first-team chances forever limited, with the likes of Loris Karius and Danny Ings certain to never return.

Others have departed in the hope of gaining more playing time to aid their development, in the hope they can return and be part of Liverpool's squad in the future.

Here is how 14 of those on loan have started their campaigns away from the Reds.



LORIS KARIUS - BESIKTAS

Karius has featured just once so far for Turkish side Besiktas, after the 25-year-old completed a two-year loan move this summer. The German’s new team were on course for a 1-0 win thanks to a Ryan Babel goal, but former West Ham man Diafra Sakho took advantage of Karius’ questionable positioning to score late on and save a point for Bursaspor. Karius is aiming to bounce back after a turbulent few months.

ADAM BOGDAN - HIBERNIAN

Goalkeeper Bogdan’s Liverpool contract will expire next summer, with the 30-year-old spending the season with Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership. The Hungarian has made eight appearances since July, including Europa League qualifying rounds but Hibs, who are managed by former Celtic boss Neil Lennon, didn’t manage to qualify for the group stages. Bogdan has kept one clean sheet, which came at home in a 3-0 win against Motherwell.

CONNOR RANDALL - ROCHDALE

The 22-year-old academy graduate faces 12 weeks out due to suffering a fractured cheekbone. Randall, who is on loan to League One side Rochdale until January, has since returned to Liverpool for medical treatment. The right back was replaced by 15-year-old Luke Matheson, who became Rochdale’s youngest ever player last week, emerging as a substitute in the win over Bury. Randall made 26 appearances last season for Scottish side Hearts and will be eager to restart his career.

MARKO GRUJIC – HERTHA BERLIN

The Serbian international signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool before joining Hertha Berlin on loan. Grujic, who helped Cardiff City pinch promotion to the Premier League in the latter half of last season, has featured in both of Hertha’s games so far. He came on as a substitute against FC Nurnberg as Hertha saw out a 1-0 win. He then started and played the entirety of a 2-0 win away at rivals Schalke. The defensive midfielder looks to have made an instant impact to a team who are looking to build on last season’s 10th placed Bundesliga finish.



SHEYI OJO – STADE REIMS

Ojo is another player who put pen-to-paper on a new deal before flying out to French side Stade Reims. Ojo, who too won promotion while on loan at Fulham, started on the bench against Montpellier. The winger was immediately called upon by manager David Guion as Stade Reims conceded in the 77th minute. Reims searched for an equaliser but the game ultimately ended in defeat. The Under-20 world champion will be hopeful to start the next game for the Ligue 1 outfit.

BEN WOODBURN – SHEFFIELD UNITED

The promising Welsh winger has been loaned to Sheffield United. The youngster was a late substitue for Ryan Giggs’ Wales in their 2-0 defeat to Denmark. and has already featured in six games for the Blades at club level. His full debut came in defeat to Hull City in the League Cup as his side lost on penalties. Woodburn, who turns 19 next month, will continue to pick up minutes for third-placed Sheffield United, as the Championship games continue to flood in.



OVIE EJARIA – RANGERS

Ovie Ejaria was one of two Liverpool players loaned to Steven Gerrard’s Rangers this summer. The 20-year-old has featured 13 times, netting twice. He scored an historic goal which was enough to see Rangers advance to the Europa League group stage. Ejaria already looks to be a key figure in the midfield, Gerrard has handed the former Arsenal youngster plenty of responsibility already.

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RYAN KENT – RANGERS

Ryan Kent is the second Liverpool U23 to be hand-picked by Steven Gerrard. Kent has appeared 10 times and was part of the Rangers squad who averted defeat in the first 12 competitive games under their new boss. Ejaria and Kent will be vital players as seventh-placed Rangers will seek to bounce from their defeat against Celtic. The Europa League group stage kicks off next Thursday away to Villareal and Gerrard will need attacking options at his disposal.



HARRY WILSON – DERBY COUNTY

Young Welshman Harry Wilson committed his future to Liverpool as he signed a deal which keeps him at Anfield until 2023. Frank Lampard then requested the presence of the 21-year-old talent. Wilson, wearing the No.7, made an early impact after providing an assist against Oldham Athletic in the League Cup. Derby are due to face Manchester United in third round at Old Trafford at the end of the month. Wilson, who remained an unused substitute in both games for Wales this week, will be an important player for Lampard’s Derby in a tight Championship.

TAIWO AWONIYI – KAA GENT

The Nigerian born star is another player who signed a new deal with Liverpool before out on loan, with the player seeking a work permit. Awoniyi headed back to Belgium where he spent a prosperous season with Royal Excel Mouscron, scoring 10 and assisting four. The centre forward will now play for KAA Gent as he eyes a senior call up to the Nigerian squad. His familiarity of the Belgian Pro League will be sure to aid his performances this season.

ALLAN – EINTRACHT FRANKFURT

Allan Rodrigues de Souza signed for Liverpool in 2015 from Brazilian club Internacional, and is yet to feature for the Reds. The playmaker has signed a new contract, similarly to Awoniyi, as both players don’t yet possess the relevant criteria for a work permit to play their football in England. Allan has therefore been sent to Eintracht Frankfurt where he is yet to start. Frankfurt play Borussia Dortmund on Friday night and it remains to be seen if the 21-year-old will feature.



DANNY INGS - SOUTHAMPTON

The final loanee is Danny Ings who has returned home to Southampton. Ings will sign permanently for the Saints, with an initial fee of £18 million including add-ons already agreed. After several injury setbacks Ings’ Liverpool career never truly restarted, as he struggled to replicate the form he showed at former club Burnley. The no.9 has enjoyed an excellent start with two goals in four appearances. He was a popular player at Anfield and his form is pleasing to see. Southampton make the journey to Anfield on September 22, although their in-form striker will not feature as Ings is ineligible to play against his parent club.

SHAMAL GEORGE - TRANMERE ROVERS

The 20-year-old Wirral born goalkeeper is on loan at Prenton Park. The young keeper has competed twice for the Rovers conceding seven goals, as Tranmere fell to defeat in both the League Cup and their Checkatrade Trophy group stage opener. George is on loan with the League Two side until January. The newly-promoted side face Shrewsbury in October - as they look to bounce back from the EFL Trophy defeat at home to Crewe. George will hope to feature and prove himself to the Super White Army faithful.

COREY WHELAN - CREWE ALEXANDRA

The Irish centre-back has made a return to Crewe, the side he played for as an academy youngster. Whelan who moved to Liverpool aged 9, has returned to The Railwaymen until January. Chester-born Whelan enjoyed a spell with Yeovil Town last season, scoring once in 11 appearances. The defender has represented Ireland at U21 level but is yet to make his debut for the League Two side.

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Former Liverpool player Pepe Reina has been crowned the greatest goalkeeper in Premier League history – in terms of clean sheet percentage per game.

Research by football magazine FourFourTwo reveals that in 285 Premier League matches for the Reds between 2005 and 2013 the Spaniard kept 134 shut outs – that's a total of 47.02% of all his games.

Such form earned Reina the Premier League's Golden Glove award in each of his first three seasons at Anfield but was never selected for the PFA Team of the Year.

His statistics are even more impressive when you consider that Liverpool's average position throughout Reina's time at the club was fifth and he never won the Premier League either – the rest of FourFourTwo's top five won 16 English titles between them.

A hugely-popular figure with both team-mates and fans alike, Reina, nevertheless earned a reputation for being something of a nearly man.

An FA Cup and League Cup almost six years apart were his only major winners' medals with the club while his time with the Spain team during a golden era that saw them collect a World Cup and two European Championships was largely confined to a role as an enthusiastic cheerleader and master of ceremony for celebrations as he played understudy to captain Iker Casillas.



However, his sparkling numbers for the Reds owe much to Rafael Benitez's defensive solidity with Reina displaying the consistency to start 183 consecutive Premier League matches between the start of the 2007/08 campaign and a suspension in April 2012.

He takes his place head and shoulders above Premier League greats such as Petr Cech (45.68%); Edwin Van Der Sar (42.17%); Peter Schmeichel (41.29%) and David Seaman (40.70%).

The only other Liverpool goalkeeper on the list is Champions League winner Jerzy Dudek at 11 with figures of 127 games, 49 clean sheets (38.58%).

Now 36 and playing second fiddle to Italian wonderkid Gianluigi Donnarumma at AC Milan, perhaps the greatest indicator of Reina's Anfield legacy is that it has arguably taken Liverpool some five years to find a potentially worthy successor to him – and that has cost some £65million in the shape of Brazil number one Alisson.

TOP 20 PREMIER LEAGUE GOALKEEPERS BY CLEAN SHEET PERCENTAGE

1) Pepe Reina – Games 285; Clean Sheets 134; 47.02%

2) Petr Cech – Games 440; Clean Sheets 201; 45.68%

3) Edwin Van Der Sar – Games 313; Clean Sheets 132; 42.17%

4) Peter Schmeichel – Games 310; Clean Sheets 128; 41.29%

5) David Seaman – Games 344; Clean Sheets 140; 40.70%

6) Carlo Cudicini – Games 161; Clean Sheets 64; 39.75%

7) Tomasz Kuszczak – Games 63; Clean Sheets 25; 39.68%

8) Manuel Almunia – Games 109; Clean Sheets 43; 39.45%

9) Bobby Mimms – Games 61; Clean Sheets 24; 39.34%

10) David De Gea – Games 241; Clean Sheets 94; 39.00%

11) Jerzy Dudek – Games 127; Clean Sheets 49; 38.58%

12) Joe Hart – Games 325; Clean Sheets 124; 38.15%

13) Thibaut Courtois – Games 126; Clean Sheets 48; 38.10%

14) Ed De Goey – Games 123; Clean Sheets 46; 37.40%

15) Nigel Martyn – Games 372; Clean Sheets 137; 36.83%

16) Jens Lehmann – Games 148; Clean Sheets 54; 36.49%

17) Wojciech Szczesny – Games 132; Clean Sheets 48; 36.36%

18) Mark Bosnich – Games 206; Clean Sheets 74; 35.92%

19) Hugo Lloris – Games: 209; Clean Sheets 75; 35.89%

20) Thomas Myhre – Games: 93; Clean Sheets: 33; 35.48%

Research by FourFourTwo - 50 game minimum

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Van Dijk has played the most passes and won the most duels of any LFC player so far - according to LFCTV

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International break disruption revealed as Jurgen Klopp finally welcomes full Liverpool squad back - just 48 hours before Tottenham clash

Jurgen Klopp will finally have his full Liverpool squad back together at Melwood today as they step up their preparations for Saturday's Premier League clash with Tottenham at Wembley.

Brazilian trio Alisson Becker, Roberto Firmino and Fabinho are the last of the Reds' international contingent to report for club duty.

They returned to Merseyside on Wednesday evening and are expected to take part in Thursday's afternoon session at Melwood.

Fears over their recovery time prior to the trip to the capital have been eased by the fact that Brazil boss Tite rested all three of them for the midweek friendly against El Salvador in Maryland.



Klopp will have just two training sessions with his full squad before the Reds fly down to London.

Liverpool will be looking to avenge last season's painful 4-1 defeat to Spurs at Wembley as Klopp's side seek to extend their perfect start to the new campaign with a fifth straight win.

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The enduring influence of Milly

The evergreen James Milner’s unrelenting consistency has been a key feature for Liverpool this season.

The 32-year-old very much feels like the elder statesman of this Reds squad and he is currently keeping nearly £100million worth of talent out of the midfield thanks to his ever industrious displays in the engine room.



Football365 have written this piece hailing Milner, his enduring influence on this Liverpool side and his importance to Jurgen Klopp as manager of the club.

Sarah Winterburn writes:

“The hope of English football,” laughed Jurgen Klopp as he was passed by last men running James Milner and Adam Lallana during a gruelling lactate test on the opening day of pre-season at Liverpool in July.

New signings Fabinho and Naby Keita had long since dropped out, humbled by men of 30 and 32 who ran lap after lap as the club measured their aerobic endurance seven weeks after the end of a long season. Milner would eventually stop running and emerge the winner…just as Klopp had predicted as soon as he saw the former Leeds cross country champion ease through his first laps.

“The body is definitely holding up,” said Milner after he started the opening game of the season and excelled in a 4-0 win over West Ham. Three games later, the body is not just holding up but thriving; while Fabinho is yet to play a competitive minute in a Liverpool shirt and even Keita was sidelined for a Leicester clash that required discipline and energy, Milner has played on. And on. And on. Almost £100m has been spent on new central midfielders but still James Philip Milner is Klopp’s first choice.”

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Virgil van Dijk's award

Virgil van Dijk was named Liverpool’s Player of the Month for a storming August.

It was just a reward for his colossal displays at centre-back as the Reds kept three consecutive clean sheets last month, and represents the first time he’s been handed the accolade.

But the award was significant for another reason.



In the past five seasons, the award has predominantly been won by attacking players.

Mohamed Salah nabbed the trophy a deserved seven times last season, with Dejan Lovren the only defender to win the award.

The Croatian won in October following his poor display at Wembley against Tottenham, leading to fans rallying to support the defender who had suffered abuse online.

The only other defenders to win the award since 2013 are Kolo Toure (November 2014), Mamadou Sakho (October 2015) and Joel Matip (November 2016).

Lovren also won the award in December 2015.

This means of the 45 awards available over the previous five seasons, the accolade has only been presented to a defender on five occasions.

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Sadio Mane says Firmino 'works like an animal for Liverpool'

Sadio Mane has put his strong start to the season down to his Liverpool team-mates, with Roberto Firmino singled out for special praise.

Along with Mohamed Salah, the 26-year-old winger has received plenty of praise of late.



Both players have started the season in sensational form, especially Mane. The Senegalese winger has scored four in Liverpool’s first four games.

Salah meanwhile has been nominated for the 2018 FIFA Best Men’s Player award.

But there’s not been a lot of talk about their Brazilian pal, Firmino. Mane has credited the forward for making his job at Liverpool easier and described him as an “animal”.

“Lots of people like to talk about me and Salah. It’s nice to hear those things, but the strength of this Liverpool team is the collective,” Mane told Bleacher Report .

“You also can’t forget that there’s a guy up front called Firmino who works like an animal for us and makes things easier.

“And the guys behind us do some extraordinary work. We try to benefit from that and help the team go forward.”

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Liverpool set to bolster goalkeeping ranks further with former Manchester United coach

Jurgen Klopp is set to add to his Liverpool backroom staff with the appointment of goalkeeping coach Jack Robinson.

The Reds are in talks to secure the services of Robinson, who currently works for the Football Association as national goalkeeping coach for the under-15s to under-17s.

Long-serving Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg has been heavily involved in the recruitment of Robinson, who would effectively be his assistant.

With Achterberg working closely with senior keepers Alisson Becker and Simon Mignolet, Robinson's focus will be on helping to develop highly-rated youngsters Kamil Grabara and Caoimhin Kelleher at Melwood.

Robinson, who was part of the England Under-17s set-up that won the World Cup last year, spent seven years at Manchester United where he coached the likes of David de Gea and Edwin van der Sar.



He boasts the UEFA Goalkeeper A Licence and has also previously worked for Crystal Palace and Leeds United.

Achterberg has been Liverpool's first-team goalkeeping coach since 2011 and Klopp recently reaffirmed his faith in the Dutchman following the £65million signing of Alisson and the exit of Loris Karius to Besiktas.

Klopp told the ECHO: "John is a goalkeeper maniac. He's working constantly.

"He's the first in the building and the last to leave. No matter how early I get into Melwood, I get up the stairs and he's already there - sat there with the laptop open watching goalkeepers from the other end of the world.

“He's constantly in there developing, changing training programmes, working with the boys. For me, he's a fantastic goalkeeper coach. There's not any reason for criticism. He's also a fantastic lad.”

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Tottenham have been rocked by the news that Hugo Lloris and Dele Alli will both miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Liverpool at Wembley.

France keeper Lloris is still hampered by a thigh injury and won't feature against the Reds with Michel Vorm continuing to deputise in goal.

England midfielder Alli, who scored in Spurs' 4-1 rout of Liverpool at Wembley last October, damaged his hamstring on international duty and has been ruled out.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino confirmed that Moussa Sissoko (hamstring) and Juan Foyth (thigh) are also unavailable.

“Dele suffered a small injury after 20 minutes of the game against Spain at Wembley,” Pochettino said.

“I am disappointed because we are maybe going to miss him for this game and maybe the Champions League game against Inter Milan.”

Saturday's game was supposed to mark the opening of Spurs' new stadium but major delays with the construction led to them switching it to Wembley.

Spurs may also have to start without Heung-min Son, who only returned to the club on Wednesday after a gruelling month away with South Korea.

Son played eight internationals in the space of 26 days as he helped his nation win gold at the Asian Games.