Loan Players Watch
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Goal @ 1:35
[article]Sepp van den Berg is quickly becoming a favourite at Preston.
The Dutchman joined North End on loan in February, arriving as part of the deal that saw Ben Davies join Liverpool.
Given that Jurgen Klopp barely even considered Van den Berg during his centre back crisis, some were concerned that the 19-year-old wouldn’t quite be up to scratch in the Championship.
However, Van den Berg has been a pleasant surprise. Despite being a centre back by trade, he has thrived at right back and even right wing back.
The 19-year-old has been so good that other clubs, even one targeting promotion to the Premier League, are keen on signing Van den Berg according to The Athletic.
Preston do have first refusal on Van den Berg if they want him back next season, and he has now been hailed by teammate Greg Cunningham.
Cunningham, who also joined North End in the January window, has told Lancs Live that he thinks Van den Berg has been ‘phenomenal’ for North End.
Cunningham branded the Dutchman ‘a breath of fresh air’, and can’t speak highly enough of the Liverpool man as he continues to make major strides at Deepdale.[/article]
[article]
Preston North End’s on loan Liverpool defender is trying to learn plenty about what he can take into his new role.
The Dutchman has played right back and, of late, right wing back in recent games and he says that the two role models at his parent club in the full back positions are good to learn from.
He describes Scottish captain Andy Robertson and England international right back Trent Alexander-Arnold as the best out there and says he is trying to learn all the time.
“In my opinion they are the best two full backs in the world,” he told iFollow PNE. “They are different types to me, but I can learn from them.
“I watched them against [Real] Madrid and I have trained with them, so it is good for me to learn from them.”
He has also been learning from a new manager and he says the stability, with Frankie stepping up from No.2, has been good for the squad: “If the manager gets fired it always has a big impact on the group,” he continued.
“I am happy that Frankie stayed – the staff are already people we already knew as players, which helps.
“We had a good run the first two games, of course then the last game wasn’t good enough, but it has been good.
“We knew the coaching staff from the inside, so we knew what to expect and everything is good going into the last five games.”
He has stayed in the team through two managers and although he admits to running a lot more down the flank, the No.2 is enjoying his time with the Lilywhites.
“Personally, I want to play games and I have been doing that. When a manager changes, everyone wonders ‘am I still going to play’, and I am happy to play and hope to continue doing that.
“It is a different position than I am used to, especially with the five at the back, it is more like a right wing, but it helps me; it is more attacking, looking forward and more one-to-one defending and it will only help me be a better player.
“I have been running more than I have ever done in my life in the recent games, so I have felt that, but with the full backs and wing backs, they have to be everything – they have to attack, they have to defend and I am trying to fit in every role I can, as best I can and I am enjoying it.”
After the defeat to Brentford, the team have had a full week’s preparations for the trip to the bet365 Stadium and Sepp says this will help them work further on the recent change of shape.
“There is no point looking back. We have to move forward to the next game, which is another chance to win and we are looking forward to it.
“Having a week to prepare for the next game is important and we will be ready for the weekend.
“The new system we have been playing for the last couple of games and it has been working well. We have to train on it and if you know what your mate next to you is going to do, it helps you. We have had a full week this week and we will be ready,” he added.
[/article]
[article]Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl says that Liverpool are “absolutely not unhappy” with how Takumi Minamino is progressing on his loan spell.
The Japan international arrived at Anfield in January 2020 as an interesting signing. While he had impressed in the Champions League against Liverpool, he was largely an unknown quantity. But amid sporadic game time, he struggled in his first year find a regular role in Jurgen Klopp’s set-up.
As such, he left on loan to Southampton in January. He made an instant impression, netting on his debut in a 3-2 loss to Newcastle.
Since then, Minamino has made five further appearances, playing 323 minutes and scoring another goal.
Reds boss Klopp has insisted that he has a long-term plan for Minamino at Liverpool. Therefore, officials from the club have kept in regular contact with the Saints over his progress.
Hasenhuttl has indeed revealed that he has held fresh talks with Liverpool, who have been left satisfied.
“We had communications this week, somebody here in our club to take a look at him, we discussed his position, discussed his development, and they were absolutely not unhappy,” the manager told reporters.
“He has got a lot of time to play so far.
He’s not had so much in the last two games, but I’m sure in the last six games he will also get chances to play.
“He is training well, he is a good part of the team, he is a professional player, good mentality, good character.
“I’m sure that he will get a lot more minutes to play until the end of the season and then we will look at what we do.”
Minamino, who has 13 goals in 28 games for Japan, made his Liverpool debut in the FA Cup last January.
He made 10 Premier League appearances last season, but only amounted to 242 minutes.
He has largely struggled to fit in behind Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota.
However, Klopp has faced criticism for not giving him more of a chance; the regular front three have suffered a slump, while Jota has had an injury.[/article]
The Japan international arrived at Anfield in January 2020 as an interesting signing. While he had impressed in the Champions League against Liverpool, he was largely an unknown quantity. But amid sporadic game time, he struggled in his first year find a regular role in Jurgen Klopp’s set-up.
As such, he left on loan to Southampton in January. He made an instant impression, netting on his debut in a 3-2 loss to Newcastle.
Since then, Minamino has made five further appearances, playing 323 minutes and scoring another goal.
Reds boss Klopp has insisted that he has a long-term plan for Minamino at Liverpool. Therefore, officials from the club have kept in regular contact with the Saints over his progress.
Hasenhuttl has indeed revealed that he has held fresh talks with Liverpool, who have been left satisfied.
“We had communications this week, somebody here in our club to take a look at him, we discussed his position, discussed his development, and they were absolutely not unhappy,” the manager told reporters.
“He has got a lot of time to play so far.
He’s not had so much in the last two games, but I’m sure in the last six games he will also get chances to play.
“He is training well, he is a good part of the team, he is a professional player, good mentality, good character.
“I’m sure that he will get a lot more minutes to play until the end of the season and then we will look at what we do.”
Minamino, who has 13 goals in 28 games for Japan, made his Liverpool debut in the FA Cup last January.
He made 10 Premier League appearances last season, but only amounted to 242 minutes.
He has largely struggled to fit in behind Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota.
However, Klopp has faced criticism for not giving him more of a chance; the regular front three have suffered a slump, while Jota has had an injury.[/article]
Seems that way.
Shame really, he looked like an intelligent player that could have provided options - just doesn’t appear to have adapted to the pace and physicality of the league well.
Harry Wilson scored a hattrick today as Cardiff beat Birmingham 4-0.
Grujic scored for Porto yesterday
[article]Cardiff City manager Mick McCarthy:
"It's as good a hat-trick I've ever seen. It was fabulous.
"The first one is absolutely awesome. It was sublime, that, the outside of his left foot, not really set to hit it and he pulls that out.
"The second one, he bent it around the wall and the third one just popped the tin hat on it.
"It was wonderful. As good a hat-trick as you'll ever see."
[/article]
[article]
Wales attacking midfielder Harry Wilson hopes his performances on loan at Cardiff City will help him break into Liverpool's first team next season.
Wilson, 24, is on a season-long loan at Cardiff and has produced 12 assists and scored seven goals, including a sublime hat-trick at Birmingham on Saturday.
After a fifth loan away from Anfield, he now wants to prove he can play for the Premier League champions.
"I feel I'm good enough to be in that squad," said Wilson.
"I'd like to think I could go in there and add something different.
"It's always been my aim to get into the Liverpool team and play for the club I've been at since I was eight. But you know the quality Liverpool have got, the famous front three [Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane].
"I've always been confident in my ability and, playing with the players in that team, I feel it would help me with my game.
"But that's out of my hands. That's up to the manager there to make those decisions but I'm fully focused on finishing the season with Cardiff and playing at the Euros with Wales.
"I'm determined to have a good tournament there and, if it's not with Liverpool [next season], I'm determined to get a move. I feel I deserve to play at the highest level I can."
Wilson has made only two senior appearances for Liverpool since 2015, starting one League Cup game and coming on as a substitute in the FA Cup.
During that period, he has been on loan to Crewe Alexandra, Hull City, Derby County, Bournemouth and Cardiff.
Wilson spent last season with Bournemouth and struck seven Premier League goals, adding to his reputation as a scorer of spectacular free-kicks and long-range efforts.
He has also amassed 24 caps and five goals for Wales and, with the postponed Euro 2020 on the horizon, this will be a significant summer for the north Walian.
"I feel this season I was desperate to get out and play to make sure I was in the best physical condition I could be in heading into this summer because I knew how big it could be," Wilson said.
"I've had the game time here at Cardiff. I'm double figures for assists and I've got seven goals, so my numbers are okay but could be better.
"Heading into the summer, I feel I'm in great shape and it's up to me now to show to those teams that I deserve a move."
Cardiff manager Mick McCarthy has already said he does not expect Wilson to return on loan next season.
Instead, the former Republic of Ireland, Wolves and Sunderland boss believes he is capable of forcing himself into Liverpool's team.
McCarthy said: "Why could he not go back to Liverpool and play there?
"He is their player. I'm not going to pick and choose where he should go, but he is absolute quality.
"He is a great pro. Even the first game when he was left out and everybody was shocked, he responded brilliantly.
"That's what I love about him. His ability and sheer determination to play.
"He is Liverpool's player and I would love to see him go back and play there.
"But he has been to Hull, Bournemouth, Derby, here. I think he feels he got a raw deal from the Premier League from his time at Bournemouth, because they got relegated and almost like it reflects badly on him.
"It shouldn't do. I saw him play for them. I sincerely hope [the Premier League] is where he is next year because that's where he deserves to be."
[/article]
All he does is score from outside the box.
Informative article with stats and comparisons. Shall not copy and paste due to the no. of images included. 😛
At least he now appears to have a barnet which doesn't deserve banning under the Geneva Convention.
Elliot scored in his last game for Blackburn this season.
Goal at 1:31
Goal at 1:31
Has his loan now officially finished and, if so, would he be eligible for Thursdays match?
Think the loan move benefitted him. Should definitely go out on loan again.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spo...erpool-defender-returns-jurgen-klopp-20564920
[article]Sepp van den Berg could be forgiven for having mixed feelings when he looks back on his 2020/21 campaign.
Of Liverpool ’s quartet of young centre-backs with senior game-time to their names, he was the only one not to feature for Jurgen Klopp ’s side over the course of the season.
As injury struck down Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, the young Dutchman watched on from the sidelines as the Reds boss turned to Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were played out of position and Billy Koumetio was handed a first-team debut.
Despite being younger than both Phillips and Williams, the 19-year-old arguably boasts the most senior experience. Afterall, he recorded 23 appearances during his time at PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie compared to the former’s promotion-winning campaign with VfB Stuttgart in 2. Bundesliga and the latter’s season in the National League North with Kidderminster Harriers.
Yet one unused substitute appearance against Lincoln City was his sole contribution to the Liverpool cause over the course of the season, despite the Reds’ repeated injury issues at the heart of defence.
With opportunities at Anfield limited, the 19-year-old signed for Preston North End on loan in January as part of the deal that took Ben Davies the other way, and can consider his stint at Deepdale a success with 16 appearances to his name.
And while the Dutchman admits he has wondered if Klopp would have turned to him during the second half of the season had he remained on Merseyside, he has no regrets about his decision to leave on loan.
“Yeah, of course,” he replies when asked if he was disappointed to be overlooked in an exclusive interview with the ECHO. “When you look at it, I had a chance maybe if I was at Liverpool but it has been really good for me here (at Preston).
“The guys who came in have done well and I really like it here. It was the best option for me to go on loan.
“When I saw everything unfold, it was really tough to see. Those injuries, you don’t want any player to have them. For the club and the team, you saw that they struggled. The whole season has been tough for Liverpool but they have managed it well.
“The players who came in, the young players, Phillips and Rhys, they have been doing really well. At the end, if big players drop out then those guys have to step up. They have done really well.
“It’s tough. If you see all the statistics about all the centre-back duos Liverpool have had this season, it’s crazy how many players have played together there.
“It’s been hard for Liverpool but it has given some great opportunities to some other players as well. They have done well and as a Liverpool supporter, you have to enjoy that as well when young players come in and do well.
“There have been pros and cons to it but it has been a tough season for Liverpool for sure.”
Van den Berg made four appearances for Liverpool last season as they stormed to the Premier League title, though two were under then Under-23s boss Neil Critchley against Aston Villa and Shrewsbury Town with the young Dutchman yet to make his top-flight debut for the club.
Also a member of the Reds squad to win the FIFA Club World Cup, the defender admits it has been a steep learning curve for him since trading the Eredivisie for Liverpool.
Yet that first taste of English football after signing from PEC Zwolle fuelled his desire for further game-time and prompted his desire to leave on loan.
And the Dutchman reveals it was always the Reds’ intention to send him out on loan with a summer move failing to materialise, perhaps explaining why Klopp resisted turning to the teenager when his defensive numbers were limited.
“I already wanted to go on loan last summer but it didn’t work out,” he said. “But the plan was always for me to go on loan.
“It happened in the January window and it was already all set for me to go on loan and I’m just really happy it worked out in January.
“When I joined (Liverpool), it was a big, big step for me! I came from Holland when I was only 17. It was a really big step but I’ve really enjoyed every moment I’ve been here.
“It’s almost two years since I joined Liverpool. The games I’ve been able to play. Being able to part of the incredible team Liverpool is and experience being part of the World Cup squad it Qatar. It’s been a crazy experience for me and I have really enjoyed every second of it so far.”
After returning from his loan spell with Preston, a decision is yet to be made regarding Van den Berg's short term future at Liverpool.
Afterall, Klopp is expected to sign a centre-back when the transfer window reopens and while Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip all set to return from injury during the summer months, it remains to be seen how long it will take them to be ready for senior action.
Meanwhile, EURO 2020, the Copa America and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ensure the Reds boss won’t have a full squad at his disposal when players report back to the AXA Training Centre for pre-season training.
But in the mean-time the young Dutchman is looking forward to challenging himself against the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane and learn from playing alongside Van Dijk in training once again.
“When I came, even when I think about it now, it’s incredible,” he recalls. “When you’re training 11 v 11, all of a sudden you go from Holland to having the best attacking front players in the world against you in training.
“It was a big step for me. It was really good to experience that. For any young player to be able to be on the same pitch as players like that is really good for your development.
“I really liked it and can’t wait to play against them again in training.
“They (Salah, Firmino and Mane) are the obvious names. Lallana was unbelievable when he was still at Liverpool. You couldn’t get the ball off him. Even Divock Origi. He’s so quick, it’s unbelievable.”
He continued: “He (Van Dijk) is someone who, as a young player, you look up to. He’s an incredible defender. It’s a really great environment to be in, to be able to train with him, to watch him play or to even watch him train.
“It’s been good. In training, of course he’s Dutch so you can speak Dutch with him. He’s nice, really nice. When I came we had Ki-Jana Hoever as well. We had some Dutch players who I could talk to but, to be fair, everyone at Liverpool really helped me when I came.
“If you can speak your own language to someone, it ultimately helps. They helped me when I came but they’re all nice players and helped me when I came. It’s been really, really enjoyable as well.
“Every player there is different class. But you have to be to win the Champions League and Premier League. They won everything in the last two years and every player in the team is incredible.
“Hopefully whenever I go back to Liverpool, I can get into the team and achieve the same as they have done the last few years.”
Having had to be patient to get his move on loan, Van den Berg knows he will also have to bide his time if he is to force his way into the Liverpool first team after his return.
But the 19-year-old also knows time is on his side and whether he’s playing regularly out on loan or training against Salah and alongside Van Dijk next season, he is determined to make the most of every experience as he looks to catch Klopp’s eye and forge a career at Anfield.
"It’s been a hard season for Liverpool but hopefully when I go back to Liverpool, I’ll get a chance as well and be able to play then," he said.
"I’m still 19 so there is really no rush for me. My dream is to be able to play for Liverpool.
"I signed for five years when I came. I will have three years left in the summer. There is plenty of time for me.
"It’s my dream to play for Liverpool. That is all I think about in the long term, there is nothing else I think about."[/article]
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spo...erpool-defender-returns-jurgen-klopp-20564920
[article]Sepp van den Berg could be forgiven for having mixed feelings when he looks back on his 2020/21 campaign.
Of Liverpool ’s quartet of young centre-backs with senior game-time to their names, he was the only one not to feature for Jurgen Klopp ’s side over the course of the season.
As injury struck down Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, the young Dutchman watched on from the sidelines as the Reds boss turned to Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson were played out of position and Billy Koumetio was handed a first-team debut.
Despite being younger than both Phillips and Williams, the 19-year-old arguably boasts the most senior experience. Afterall, he recorded 23 appearances during his time at PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie compared to the former’s promotion-winning campaign with VfB Stuttgart in 2. Bundesliga and the latter’s season in the National League North with Kidderminster Harriers.
Yet one unused substitute appearance against Lincoln City was his sole contribution to the Liverpool cause over the course of the season, despite the Reds’ repeated injury issues at the heart of defence.
With opportunities at Anfield limited, the 19-year-old signed for Preston North End on loan in January as part of the deal that took Ben Davies the other way, and can consider his stint at Deepdale a success with 16 appearances to his name.
And while the Dutchman admits he has wondered if Klopp would have turned to him during the second half of the season had he remained on Merseyside, he has no regrets about his decision to leave on loan.
“Yeah, of course,” he replies when asked if he was disappointed to be overlooked in an exclusive interview with the ECHO. “When you look at it, I had a chance maybe if I was at Liverpool but it has been really good for me here (at Preston).
“The guys who came in have done well and I really like it here. It was the best option for me to go on loan.
“When I saw everything unfold, it was really tough to see. Those injuries, you don’t want any player to have them. For the club and the team, you saw that they struggled. The whole season has been tough for Liverpool but they have managed it well.
“The players who came in, the young players, Phillips and Rhys, they have been doing really well. At the end, if big players drop out then those guys have to step up. They have done really well.
“It’s tough. If you see all the statistics about all the centre-back duos Liverpool have had this season, it’s crazy how many players have played together there.
“It’s been hard for Liverpool but it has given some great opportunities to some other players as well. They have done well and as a Liverpool supporter, you have to enjoy that as well when young players come in and do well.
“There have been pros and cons to it but it has been a tough season for Liverpool for sure.”
Van den Berg made four appearances for Liverpool last season as they stormed to the Premier League title, though two were under then Under-23s boss Neil Critchley against Aston Villa and Shrewsbury Town with the young Dutchman yet to make his top-flight debut for the club.
Also a member of the Reds squad to win the FIFA Club World Cup, the defender admits it has been a steep learning curve for him since trading the Eredivisie for Liverpool.
Yet that first taste of English football after signing from PEC Zwolle fuelled his desire for further game-time and prompted his desire to leave on loan.
And the Dutchman reveals it was always the Reds’ intention to send him out on loan with a summer move failing to materialise, perhaps explaining why Klopp resisted turning to the teenager when his defensive numbers were limited.
“I already wanted to go on loan last summer but it didn’t work out,” he said. “But the plan was always for me to go on loan.
“It happened in the January window and it was already all set for me to go on loan and I’m just really happy it worked out in January.
“When I joined (Liverpool), it was a big, big step for me! I came from Holland when I was only 17. It was a really big step but I’ve really enjoyed every moment I’ve been here.
“It’s almost two years since I joined Liverpool. The games I’ve been able to play. Being able to part of the incredible team Liverpool is and experience being part of the World Cup squad it Qatar. It’s been a crazy experience for me and I have really enjoyed every second of it so far.”
After returning from his loan spell with Preston, a decision is yet to be made regarding Van den Berg's short term future at Liverpool.
Afterall, Klopp is expected to sign a centre-back when the transfer window reopens and while Van Dijk, Gomez and Matip all set to return from injury during the summer months, it remains to be seen how long it will take them to be ready for senior action.
Meanwhile, EURO 2020, the Copa America and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ensure the Reds boss won’t have a full squad at his disposal when players report back to the AXA Training Centre for pre-season training.
But in the mean-time the young Dutchman is looking forward to challenging himself against the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane and learn from playing alongside Van Dijk in training once again.
“When I came, even when I think about it now, it’s incredible,” he recalls. “When you’re training 11 v 11, all of a sudden you go from Holland to having the best attacking front players in the world against you in training.
“It was a big step for me. It was really good to experience that. For any young player to be able to be on the same pitch as players like that is really good for your development.
“I really liked it and can’t wait to play against them again in training.
“They (Salah, Firmino and Mane) are the obvious names. Lallana was unbelievable when he was still at Liverpool. You couldn’t get the ball off him. Even Divock Origi. He’s so quick, it’s unbelievable.”
He continued: “He (Van Dijk) is someone who, as a young player, you look up to. He’s an incredible defender. It’s a really great environment to be in, to be able to train with him, to watch him play or to even watch him train.
“It’s been good. In training, of course he’s Dutch so you can speak Dutch with him. He’s nice, really nice. When I came we had Ki-Jana Hoever as well. We had some Dutch players who I could talk to but, to be fair, everyone at Liverpool really helped me when I came.
“If you can speak your own language to someone, it ultimately helps. They helped me when I came but they’re all nice players and helped me when I came. It’s been really, really enjoyable as well.
“Every player there is different class. But you have to be to win the Champions League and Premier League. They won everything in the last two years and every player in the team is incredible.
“Hopefully whenever I go back to Liverpool, I can get into the team and achieve the same as they have done the last few years.”
Having had to be patient to get his move on loan, Van den Berg knows he will also have to bide his time if he is to force his way into the Liverpool first team after his return.
But the 19-year-old also knows time is on his side and whether he’s playing regularly out on loan or training against Salah and alongside Van Dijk next season, he is determined to make the most of every experience as he looks to catch Klopp’s eye and forge a career at Anfield.
"It’s been a hard season for Liverpool but hopefully when I go back to Liverpool, I’ll get a chance as well and be able to play then," he said.
"I’m still 19 so there is really no rush for me. My dream is to be able to play for Liverpool.
"I signed for five years when I came. I will have three years left in the summer. There is plenty of time for me.
"It’s my dream to play for Liverpool. That is all I think about in the long term, there is nothing else I think about."[/article]
Assist at 1:16 min
[article]Liam Millar expressed his thoughts as the Addicks completed their League One campaign with a 1-0 triumph over champions Hull City at The Valley on Sunday afternoon.
Ultimately, Millar was the difference between the two sides: it was the Canadian’s tantalising cross which broke the deadlock, sparking confusion between Matt Ingram and Jacob Greaves as the goalkeeper could only parry the ball against his defender for an unfortunate own goal and a first defeat for the Tigers since February.
Speaking to Charlton TV post-match, Millar said: “We’re obviously all disappointed because we came into the game today thinking that we just had to win and hopefully the results went in our favour. Unfortunately Oxford are a good side and they end up battering Burton.
“All we had to do was do what we could control; we all went out there trying to get all three points today and we did that. I think that’s something we can be proud of and the lads can build on that for next season.”
Nigel Adkins’ men concluded their campaign with successive victories in SE7 against Lincoln City and Hull City respectively, something Millar says can breed confidence moving forward.
“Hull are the champions - they’re probably the best team in the league - and Lincoln are a very good side as well. We played two of the best teams and showed that we can go toe-to-toe with them and if not be better than them. I think it’s all positive.
“Even though it’s not play-offs I don’t think it’s the end of the world. I think the club’s in a good place right now with the manager and all the players we have here. For next season I think everything should be good.
“When you reflect on the season, I think that we’ll see that there were games where we should have won and we dropped points. Sometimes when you look back at a season and you just think, ‘that’s what’s killed you’. Because clearly we’re good enough, clearly we can beat the best teams in this league and I’m sure if we were in the play-offs we would definitely be competing for promotion.”
After arriving on loan from Liverpool in January, the 21-year-old forged a starting berth on the left wing and made 27 appearances, returning two goals and seven assists in what Millar feels has been a hugely beneficial loan spell.
“The important thing for me was I had a little bit of a rough spell in Scotland and I didn’t do too well at times, but I think that I’ve come here and I’ve matured over the time I’ve been here.
“When I came here I was kind of still used to [under] 23s football where I was just kind of doing the same thing over and over and over again. I went through a rough patch where I wasn’t playing at my best and that’s football.
“I think I was at the point where I had to move on and get league football. I came here and, like I said, I think I’ve matured a lot. There were times when I was very predictable and towards the end now I was able to go outside or inside and not just one way. I’ve improved on a lot of things so for me it was a positive loan spell.”
Millar added in a social media post: "To the fans: I never got to play in front of you at The Valley but your support was heard throughout our season, thanks for everything. Wish everyone the best of luck in the future."[/article]
[article]Liam Millar expressed his thoughts as the Addicks completed their League One campaign with a 1-0 triumph over champions Hull City at The Valley on Sunday afternoon.
Ultimately, Millar was the difference between the two sides: it was the Canadian’s tantalising cross which broke the deadlock, sparking confusion between Matt Ingram and Jacob Greaves as the goalkeeper could only parry the ball against his defender for an unfortunate own goal and a first defeat for the Tigers since February.
Speaking to Charlton TV post-match, Millar said: “We’re obviously all disappointed because we came into the game today thinking that we just had to win and hopefully the results went in our favour. Unfortunately Oxford are a good side and they end up battering Burton.
“All we had to do was do what we could control; we all went out there trying to get all three points today and we did that. I think that’s something we can be proud of and the lads can build on that for next season.”
Nigel Adkins’ men concluded their campaign with successive victories in SE7 against Lincoln City and Hull City respectively, something Millar says can breed confidence moving forward.
“Hull are the champions - they’re probably the best team in the league - and Lincoln are a very good side as well. We played two of the best teams and showed that we can go toe-to-toe with them and if not be better than them. I think it’s all positive.
“Even though it’s not play-offs I don’t think it’s the end of the world. I think the club’s in a good place right now with the manager and all the players we have here. For next season I think everything should be good.
“When you reflect on the season, I think that we’ll see that there were games where we should have won and we dropped points. Sometimes when you look back at a season and you just think, ‘that’s what’s killed you’. Because clearly we’re good enough, clearly we can beat the best teams in this league and I’m sure if we were in the play-offs we would definitely be competing for promotion.”
After arriving on loan from Liverpool in January, the 21-year-old forged a starting berth on the left wing and made 27 appearances, returning two goals and seven assists in what Millar feels has been a hugely beneficial loan spell.
“The important thing for me was I had a little bit of a rough spell in Scotland and I didn’t do too well at times, but I think that I’ve come here and I’ve matured over the time I’ve been here.
“When I came here I was kind of still used to [under] 23s football where I was just kind of doing the same thing over and over and over again. I went through a rough patch where I wasn’t playing at my best and that’s football.
“I think I was at the point where I had to move on and get league football. I came here and, like I said, I think I’ve matured a lot. There were times when I was very predictable and towards the end now I was able to go outside or inside and not just one way. I’ve improved on a lot of things so for me it was a positive loan spell.”
Millar added in a social media post: "To the fans: I never got to play in front of you at The Valley but your support was heard throughout our season, thanks for everything. Wish everyone the best of luck in the future."[/article]
[article]Harvey Elliott has returned to Liverpool after a successful loan spell with Blackburn Rovers. Sepp van den Berg also returned to Anfield this week but the pair will not feature for the Reds in their remaining few games against West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace despite arriving back before the end of the Premier League season.
League rules state that players can only feature again for their parent clubs following a return from a loan spell in 'exceptional circumstances'.[/article]
[article]Liverpool are ready to sell Taiwo Awoniyi this summer.
The Liverpool Echo says the Nigerian striker has been granted a UK work permit.
After spending the current season with Union Berlin, the 23-year-old has played the required quota of Bundesliga matches to meet the new GBE work permit criteria for next season.
A number of English clubs have contacted Liverpool to register interest in the 23-year-old, having followed his progress closely this season, with Goal reporting initial discussions have been held with Fulham, West Brom and Stoke City, with the Reds also fielding enquiries from Union Berlin, Stuttgart and Wolfsburg.
Liverpool are not actively looking to sell the striker, and remained in close contact with Awoniyi over the course of the season.
But it is understood they would expect to receive a fee of £8m-£10m for his services having rejected a £5m offer from Anderlecht in the past.[/article]
huhhhh finally ! Poor lad. I doubt Klopp would sell him without having a look at him in the training or pre season.
Adding to his valuation hopefully
Wasn't Wilson 2nd or top scorer when he was on loan at Bournemouth? That's not too bad in my books. From the little that I've seen of him he's not really a dribbler in the Mane Salah Jota mould he seems more old-fashioned attacking midfielder who is good at ghosting into positions and then using his thunder shot. I would at least like to see him get a run out at Liverpool for one season before passing judgement on him but because of his age its more likely that he'll be sold.
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