The Reds have a number of exciting prospects out on loan this season, and some are faring better than others…
It's not easy to make the grade at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp has never been afraid to put his faith in youth, as the past couple of months have underlined, but many Liverpool academy graduates and fringe players head out on loan every summer in the hope of convincing the German that they can cut it at the highest level.
An awful lot of thought goes into which players would benefit from playing elsewhere – and, perhaps more importantly, for which clubs, because the wrong move can severely hinder a prospect's progress. In the right environment, though, youngsters can thrive and prove themselves capable of excelling at the highest level.
Below, GOAL ranks and rates the biggest talents currently plying their trade away from Anfield during the 2023-24 season…
Getty Images8Rhys Williams (Aberdeen & Port Vale) – 0/10 ⇔
This season has been a nightmare for the 23-year-old. Williams was sent out on loan to Aberdeen at the start of the season, but his debut was delayed by "one niggle after another", as former Dons boss Barry Robson put it. However, even when fit, Williams was only called upon once, for a Scottish Challenge Cup clash with Peterhead.
Consequently, the defender's scheduled season-long stay at Pittodrie was cut short and he was loaned to Port Vale on January 16. Just two weeks later, though, he was back at Anfield, having been sidelined by yet another injury.
AdvertisementGetty Images7Calvin Ramsay (Preston & Bolton) – 3/10 ⇔
Ramsay can't catch a break at the moment. The former Aberdeen defender saw his first season at Anfield wrecked by a knee injury and then, after joining Preston on loan in June to secure more game time, he suffered another setback.
Ramsay finally made his first competitive appearance for a year in a Championship clash with Middlesbrough at the tail end of November and started against QPR three days later. But the right-back then contracted Covid-19 and didn't play for Preston again before returning to Liverpool.
Ramsay was sent back out on loan in January, this time joining Bolton Wanderers, but he has only made three appearances in League One to date.
Getty Images6James Balagizi (Wigan & Kilmarnock) – 4/10 ⇔
After signing a new contract with Liverpool in July, the box-to-box midfielder was allowed to join Wigan on loan with a view to him gaining more senior-level experience, but Balagizi featured in just seven games in all competitions and saw a grand total of 87 minutes of action in League One, with his hopes of playing regular football hindered by a hamstring problem.
As a result, the 20-year-old, who has represented England at various age groups, was recalled by Liverpool in January before being sent out on loan to Kilmarnock, where he has been used solely as a substitute so far.
Getty5Nathaniel Phillips (Celtic & Cardiff) – 6.5/10 ⬇️
After only featuring twice in the Premier League last season, the centre-back was in dire need of a move this summer and joined Celtic on loan until January just before the close of the summer transfer window.
The Bhoys, Phillips said shortly after arriving in Glasgow, "have given me a great opportunity" – but while the 26-year-old made a couple of appearances in the Champions League, even starting against Lazio, the defender was only used six times in the Scottish Premiership before returning to Anfield.
It was the right move, as Phillips has now become a regular starter since joining Cardiff City on loan just before the close of the January transfer window.
