Thought it would be good to have a thread dedicated to the players we have out on loan. I know they all have their own player threads but we can use this thread to discuss not only their progress but also the merits of them being on loan as opposed to staying at the Club.
There's been quite a bit of discussion in other threads as to the point of loans especially when we are so short on numbers but I believe we'll be better for it long term and can understand, to a point, why we've done it.
For obvious reasons the loan system is used differently depending on the age/experience of the player. With the Academy lads it's used to give them experience at a higher level, regular playing time, to see if they're ready, to see if they're worth keeping and to see how they handle it. They will be learning about tactics, responsibility, pressure and more importantly testing themselves against better opposition, without having the glare of sometimes unwelcome, media attention. They already have the talent otherwise they wouldn't be with us, it's whether they have the mental capacity to transfer that skill into a professional environment.
As somebody who recognises good young talent Brendan realised very quickly that we had several young starlets at the Academy, what he wasn't happy about was that they weren't "game ready". They hadn't been 'tested' at professional level so it was difficult to be able to rely on them to come in and perform.
If we look at the younger but more experienced players, those players who've had a taste of 1st team action but didn't quite nail down a starting position.
Jack Robinson - Blackpool. Jack's been doing really well at Blackpool, he's starting every game and has had a few mom performances. He's been getting up and down the wing, something that he was criticised for not doing enough when given the chance in the 1st team. They haven't been doing well lately and the manager's been sacked so this period will be another learning curve for him. For me a good loan deal for both the player and Brendan.
Andre Wisdom - Derby. Another one being first choice at his Club and although it's at rb rather than cb he's being praised for his attacking play as much as his defending. He's also put in a few mom performances and is a fans favourite. Since his arrival, Derby have gone from bottom half to pushing for a play off place. For me another good move.
Suso - Almeria. Suso was flying at Almeria before Xmas having the 2nd best attacking stats to Messi in La Liga with 5 assists and 2 goals. He's had a bit of a dip recently but the team are doing well by their standards and hopefully he'll help them avoid relegation. It's been a good move for him to showcase his skills away from the pressure cooker of the EPL but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes on loan again next season, probably to the Championship.
Now you could argue that we could have done with all of the above at some stage this season but in reality all they would have done is make up the numbers. It's rare for an inexperienced player, whose not getting regular playing time to be 'match' ready never mind 'game' ready. Relying on them because we have nobody else won't give them confidence and put's extra pressure on them to perform, it's a lose/lose situation.
Flanno for example, is the exception to this. Mentally tough as old boots is Flanno, another Carra in the making. Do the basics well with the rest made up from guts, determination and pride.
The other 3 older players haven't had a start with the first team so their level is slightly below the others.
Conor Coady - Sheffield United. Didn't have a great start at his loan Club and he wasn't playing much. His manager also got sacked but thankfully his new manager is playing him now. He's playing more on the right of mf rather than centrally but is getting involved in attacks and scored early on last week. His Club was rock bottom of the league but since the new manager came in they're now out of the relegation battle and still in the FA Cup (at the time of writing). He's learning a lot about being a professional in the lower leagues, where he's earning more than some of his teammates. Hopefully that'll drive him on to make the 1st team next season or get a better loan in the Championship.
Kriztian Adorjan - Groningen. Not heard too much about how he's getting on but I believe he's impressed them, he's scored a couple and has some assists. There was talk about them wanting to buy him after his loan. This lad has the talent, he's beautiful to watch and I'd love to see him gracing Anfield in the future but I don't think the EPL suits his game.
Armin Hodzic - Zeljeznicar. Come on hands up who'd forgotten about him?? This kid was so hyped as a teenager we gave him a 6 year contract when he was 16
He's 20 this year, was out injured for over 2 years then been out on loan since July 2012. I've absolutely no idea about the Bosnian Leagues but he's been doing ok and scoring heavily, certainly last season think he scored 17.
Kris Peterson - Tranmere. Kris was blighted by injuries when he first arrived at the Academy and seemed to have been surpassed by the likes of Sterling, Ibe, Dunn, Wilson and even McLaughlan. He's recently gone to Tranmere and been resurgent, culminating in getting a new contract Thursday. He admitted in an interview that he thought his Liverpool days were numbered back in November and never expected to be offered another contract but his loan deal has awakened quite a few Clubs from the Championship, to Dutch and Swedish ones all inquiring about his availability. The lad has accepted a one year extension rather than the longer one he was offered by the Club. That's a great attitude to have as he's not resting on his laurels and will work harder than ever to either come back to Melwood or secure a really good move away.
The loaning out of Brendans own players has caused confusion and anger on these boards. Where I can see the point of them needing game time which they wouldn't have had without a loan I too don't understand why we bought Aspas and loaned Moses last summer or why we were trying to buy Salah when we have Assaidi and Borini. Whether these players will develop into what we need like Hendo has, remains to be seen but they will have benefited whether we keep them or not.
Tiago Illori - Grenada. Apparently the plan with Illori was to give him 6 months at Melwood then send him out on loan and that's exactly what's happened. This kid was never bought for the here and now but was always too good for the u21's. I'm sure this won't be his last loan as I think he needs to have some experience of English football too.
Ryan McLaughlan - Barnsley. Ryan would have gone out earlier in the season if it hadn't been for injuries and the timing of his loan couldn't have come at a worse time with Glen being out for a while. At least if we do need to use him he'll be better prepared than just throwing him in at the deep end. He did well on his debut, wasn't flash, used his pace but did the basics very well.
Lastly, those on loan with a view to selling.
Pepe Reina - Napoli. Doubtful we'll see him in Liverpool Red again but for me it's not the right way to use the loan system.
Craig Roddan - Accrington Stanley (who the hell are they?
). Unfortunately for Craig he's a utility player who never made it out of the u21's and he's now more or less been told he can find his own Club. He's recently had short loans at Carlisle, Yeovil and now Accrington. Hopefully he'll have a decent career in the lower leagues.
Oops!! Didn't expect this to be such a long thread when I started it but hopefully I've given a good insight into my views on how and why these loan deals are good for us and look forward to hearing some of your views on the subject.