Liverpool loan report as Elliott pathway followed but injury woe hits youngsters
With Liverpool looking at a summer rebuild, a few shoots of hope are coming from the young players currently out on loan who may tread the same path as the likes of first-team regular Harvey Elliott.
Elliott starred on loan at Blackburn two seasons ago, earning a place in Jurgen Klopp's first-team group upon his return to Merseyside. Currently, the Reds have 12 players out on loan at clubs across four countries, with some even playing top-flight football.
All are fighting to prove to Klopp that they deserve a chance to show their worth in pre-season, with Liverpool's dire campaign set to provide an opening. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at how all 12 are faring away from Anfield.
Tyler Morton – Blackburn
Tyler Morton is certainly following Elliott's lead, even going out on loan to the same club as the midfielder. He has made 40 appearances so far this season, playing a key role in Rovers' play-off charge in the Championship.
He played all 90 minutes of their FA Cup quarter-final against Sheffield United last weekend, with boss Jon Dahl Tomasson impressed by the 20-year-old. He said: “He had a great education, he wants to learn and develop but you can see that he’s a very intelligent player coming through at Liverpool.”
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Klopp also appears to have been left delighted with his performances at Ewood Park, with the Athletic reporting that the German is ready to bring Morton into the first-team fold in pre-season.
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Leighton Clarkson – Aberdeen
Leighton Clarkson is impressing at AberdeenAnother youngster impressing is Leighton Clarkson, who continues to play a big role at Aberdeen despite the man who brought him to the club, manager Jim Goodwin, being sacked in January. Clarkson has started 23 Scottish Premiership games, nothing three assists in his last two games.
His performances have helped the Dons in their push for a European qualification place. And there was talk that English Championship sides were eyeing him in January, though Clarkson rubbished the suggestion he would cut short his stay in Scotland.
"The Liverpool first-team is the aim. I can only do as well as I can here. If I just keep doing what I’m doing and keep playing well then you never know what can happen at the end of the season," he told the Daily Record earlier this month.
Conor Bradley – Bolton
Conor Bradley has earned high praise during his loan spell at Bolton (Rob Newell/Getty Images)Conor Bradley is also being handed a substantial amount of game time at Bolton Wanderers. The 19-year-old has started 36 games in all competitions for the Trotters, also earning a starting spot in the Northern Ireland national team.
Bradley has scored six goals and notched six assists in all competitions for Bolton in their push to finish in the play-offs. And his performances have left boss Ian Evatt convinced that he will go on to be a success for Liverpool.
“I genuinely believe he will play for Liverpool, and play regularly, he is that good. He is developing and improving all the time. We’d be hopeful that we could get one more year of his education but I’d completely understand if Liverpool felt the need to keep him,” he said.
Jarell Quansah – Bristol Rovers
Jarell Quansah quickly earned a place in Bristol Rovers' first-team but will not be forced to serve a suspensionCentre-back Jarell Quansah has quickly become a key player at Bristol Rovers, starting all of their League One games since he arrived in January. His time there suffered a setback though when he was sent off for violent conduct against Portsmouth, though boss Joey Barton has been impressed by him.
“He’s as good on the ball that you’ll need to be in terms of building out from the back. He’s going to get bigger, he’s going to get stronger, he’s going to get faster. His anticipation of the game is going to be better. The sky’s the limit for him," Barton said in February.
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Luke Chambers – Kilmarnock
Left-back Luke Chambers has impressed at Kilmarnock since arriving in January, starting seven games and notching one assist so far. Manager Derek McInnes hailed the youngster after making his senior debut aged just 18.
"He played a part in the goal, he picked out the pass, he was quality in possession. He was making his senior debut at 18, there was a lot of nerves, but the level of performance was very mature. 36 years ago I made my first senior debut and I certainly didn’t play as good as him! He was outstanding," he said.
Vitezslav Jaros – Stockport County
Czech goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros fought his way into Stockport's starting line-up early into the season, playing 13 times in all competitions, but he was unfortunately hit by injury in October. Since returning to fitness, Jaros has found his role reduced to that of back-up as Stockport mount a play-off push in League Two.
Adam Lewis – Newport County
Adam Lewis was impressing for Newport before being hit with a season-ending injuryAdam Lewis was flying for Newport County, notching three assists in four League Two games over February. But he unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury after limping off against Walsall at the end of February.
Paul Glatzel – Tranmere
Paul Glatzel was able to make just one appearance for Tranmere, a 14-minute cameo against Bradford in September, before suffering a hamstring injury that has kept him on the sidelines ever since.
Jack Bearne – Kidderminster
Injury disrupted the start of Jack Bearne's time at Kidderminster Harriers, but since then, he has been a regular feature in their side. He has scored three goals so far and in January revealed his delight at playing for the National League North team.
“It’s a really new experience, an eye-opening experience. Getting used to the new surroundings and the first-team football side of things. But I’m just throwing myself in there and I’m really enjoying it," he told the Liverpool Echo.
Fidel O’Rourke – Halifax Town
Fidel O'Rourke started the season at Caernarfon Town, with eight goals in 14 games earning him a move to National League side Halifax Town. Though he has earned regular game-time at the Shay Men, he is still yet to score a goal.
Sepp van den Berg – Schalke (Germany)
Sepp van den Berg made just four appearances for Schalke before being hit by injurySepp van den Berg's time at Schalke has been nothing short of a disaster. The centre-back was able to make just four appearances before a torn ankle ligament left him on the sidelines, before suffering a fresh injury setback soon after his return.
Anderson Arroyo – Alaves (Spain)
Anderson Arroyo has been more of a bit-part player than most of his fellow loanees. He has made 16 appearances in the Segunda Division and in the Copa del Rey, with Deportivo Alaves still chasing promotion.
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