Does a loan really make the man?
Are Liverpool’s loanees ready for their triumphant returns to the shores of the Mersey or have these been the first steps towards the long goodbye?
For a man who initially dismissed the loan system entirely upon his arrival to the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp currently has a host of players plying their trade across the Football League and beyond. With no less than 13 Reds gaining their minutes elsewhere.
The question I have been pondering and one put to me by a friend over the weekend is this.
Does the loan system actually work?
It was something I had to take a moment to think about. I pointed to the obvious players. Kevin De Bruyne was loaned to Werder Bremen from Chelsea. He scored 10 goals in 34 appearances and is now considered one of the best midfielders in the world. Not to mention being a player of the year nominee at title-winning Manchester City.
Romelu Lukaku, the Belgian was loaned to West Brom from Chelsea. An impressive 17 goals in 34 appearances, currently Manchester United’s number nine. He is consistently relied upon to offer 20 plus goals a season in the Premier League. Who could forget our own Mohamed Salah? Loaned out at Chelsea and now enjoying a historic season at Anfield.
It is worth noting however, that these players are the exception, not the rule. It is also worth mentioning that none of these players gained their success going back to their parent club. Which brings me onto our own players.
Divock Origi, the Europa League hero against Borussia Dortmund two years ago. Origi was a real option off the bench and consistently offered 10 plus goals in his two seasons at Anfield.
It was a shock to many to see his temporary departure to Wolfsburg to make way for the unproven Dominic Solanke. However, following an indifferent pre-season, it was agreed he’d move on. With five goals in 35 appearances, Origi’s loan move has not gone the way anyone including the player, had hoped. The likelihood of the Belgian moving on in the summer is increasing by the day.
Marko Grujic, following a number of niggling injuries and being low down in the midfield pecking order, dropped down to the Championship to promotion-chasers, Cardiff in January.
In the time Grujic has been gone, Liverpool have had somewhat of a midfield crisis, ironically the kind of crisis which would have meant the Serb would have gained some minutes. This has been due to injuries to Adam Lallana and Emre Can, not to mention the departure of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona. Despite a successful loan period in England’s second division, a future as red looks bleak for Grujic.
With Naby Keita set to join Liverpool in July and a number of others rumoured midfield targets, Jorginho being one heavily touted, it is difficult to see where the Serbian will fit into Klopp’s plans.
Lazar Markovic, the millennial Alberto Aquilani. Many will point to the fact that he’s never really been given a fair chance under Klopp but with loan after loan in the Premier League and across Europe, many were surprised to see his name still on the books last summer, let alone the one approaching.
Daniel Sturridge, a man whom many people, including myself, thought would be a Reds mainstay for years to come. Sadly Sturridge has been crippled by injury. His lightning pace has consistently dropped season upon season and you now are lucky if you can manage 20 appearances from the former Manchester City graduate.
A loan spell at West Brom, which Sturridge himself thought could get him a seat on the plane to Russia has come to nothing. With his injuries getting the best of him once more he is a player who sadly looks destined for a Jermaine Pennant level of Football League obscurity. What might have been. No future with Liverpool.
Harry Wilson. The 21-year-old is making his name in the Wales team. A January signing for Hull with five goals and four assists in his opening 11 games. The excitement is building. A good pre-season showing could make him a genuine squad option for next season. Our one potential exception to the rule?