Liverpool FC Thread #151 :- Rise Up LFC

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Origi scores, Ejaria starts and Wilson makes Hull debut - How Liverpool's loanees fared this weekend

While Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool first team were creating drama and headlines against Tottenham, the club's clutch of loanees were enjoying a rather different weekend.

Liverpool have a host of players looking for regular football away from Anfield, sanctioning no fewer than seven such deals in the final week of the January window alone.

Some, such as Jon Flanagan and Lazar Markovic, are still waiting for their first appearances for their new clubs.

Others, though, have already settled in.

Whether it'll be enough to convince Klopp their future lies at Anfield, of course, remains to be seen - but here's how the Reds' loanees got on this weekend...

Divock Origi

The Belgian was on the scoresheet for Wolfsburg as they drew 1-1 with VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

His goal, a well-taken effort from outside the penalty area, was his fifth of the season. The Wolves recently added a new striker to their ranks, Admir Mehmedi, but his arrival would seem to have woken Origi from his slumber.

Daniel Sturridge

The striker was handed his first start for West Brom as they took on Southampton at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

It proved to be a tough afternoon for Sturridge, who lasted 62 minutes before being replaced by Jay Rodriguez in the Baggies' 3-2 defeat.

The Express & Star rated him as a 6/10, stating he: "Showed flashes of potential with lightning-quick feet and a couple of times he rolled his defender, but did not test the goalkeeper."



Ryan Kent

Started for Bristol City on Friday night as they went down to a surprise 1-0 loss at Bolton.

The winger played his first 90 minutes of the campaign, and afterwards earned praise from teammate Bailey Wright and manager Lee Johnson.

Wright said: “I thought he did really well. He showed what he is about.

“He is a good player and he is a nightmare to come up against as a defender for sure.

“I think he is only going to get better and better and the more he settles in the more we will see the best of him, and I think he really showed us what he is about."

Johnson added: "Ryan Kent was excellent so special praise for him, he was dangerous and bright."

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Ovie Ejaria

A tough debut for the midfielder, who played 90 minutes as struggling Sunderland went down 2-0 to Ipswich Town.

The 20-year-old was, however, singled out for praise by the Evening Chronicle, who rated him as one of the better performers in the game.

They wrote: "One of the few bright spots for Sunderland, the debutant looked lively in the first half before tiring in the second."

Understandable, given this was his first senior outing since last January.



Marko Grujic

Booked, of course, but the Serb played his part in a big win for Cardiff - 4-1 away at Leeds.

Wales Online gave him a 7/10 rating, writing that he: "Offered a composed meance in front of the back four that Leeds couldn’t shake off. Improving with minutes and more up to pace with things, though needs to watch discipline.

"Gave the feeling he could have a big say in Cardiff’s fortunes between now and May."



Harry Wilson

Made his debut for Hull City as a substitute in their 2-1 defeat at Preston, playing the final 21 minutes for his first Football League appearance since November 2015.

The Hull Daily Mail were suitably impressed with his cameo, writing: "The winger injected energy and pace into the side that had previously been missing and it was enough to ask questions of a Preston defence who had been coasting the second half.

"Unfortunately Wilson was unable to inspire a comeback, but his cameo will have City fans hopeful that a survival campaign can in fact be successful."

Pedro Chirivella

Made his 18th appearance of the season for Willem II in the Eredivisie, playing 69 minutes in their 1-0 defeat to Sparta Rotterdam.

Connor Randall

Played the first half as Hearts recorded a 1-0 win over St Johnstone in the Scottish Premier Division.

Taiwo Awoniyi

Came on as a second-half substitute, playing 32 minutes for Mouscron as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Genk. Is now without a goal since late November.

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The Egyptian King

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Within minutes of scoring one of the great individual goals at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, Mohamed Salah made an eight-year-old fan's dream come true.

Joseph Clarendon was sat with his mum, Angela, in the Kenny Dalglish Stand for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur – his first ever game at the stadium.

When he found out he would be attending the match earlier in the day, the young supporter instantly made a decision that led to an unforgettable moment with his hero.

Joe created a homemade sign reading: “Mo Salah, can I have your shirt please?”

But he could not have imagined the hopeful request would be fulfilled.

His grandfather, Jimmy McKenna, takes up the story.

“It was my 60th birthday on Sunday and I should have gone to the match as a birthday present. But we had a party on Saturday night and I was a bit worse for wear!” he told Liverpoolfc.com.

“I was supposed to go with Joe’s brother but he was up with us and didn’t want to go, so my daughter took Joe.

“It is the first game he has ever been to and he did the sign himself when he found out he was going. He held the sign up for the whole 90 minutes.

“He told his mum halfway through the game that his arms were hurting him, but he just held it up higher! He loved the game and he was made up when Mo Salah scored because he’s his favourite player.”



Despite Salah’s sensational solo strike in the 91st minute to put Liverpool ahead, further late drama denied Jürgen Klopp’s team three points.

Harry Kane’s penalty with virtually the last kick of the game snatched a 2-2 draw for Spurs and left Joe with a ‘broken heart’.

His despair turned to delight in a matter of seconds, though. With the help of the supporters sat nearby him grabbing Salah’s attention, the Egyptian made a course towards the crowd before he headed back to the dressing room.

Joe’s spot in the stand was his destination, that much-desired shirt his special gift to the young Red.

“My daughter wasn’t expecting anything to come of it, she just let him make the sign,” said Jimmy.

“As Mo Salah was running over and taking his shirt off, all the fans around him were shouting, ‘you’re going to get the shirt!’ It was a good experience for him.

“We saw him afterwards and he had the shirt on over his coat. He was made up!”

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Jürgen Klopp has been shortlisted for the Premier League’s Manager of the Month award for January.

The boss oversaw three wins and one defeat for the Reds in the top-flight at the start of the new calendar year.

Burnley were defeated 2-1 on January 1 in dramatic circumstances at Turf Moor, with Ragnar Klavan netting a last-gasp winner.

That was followed up with a pulsating 4-3 victory over Manchester City at Anfield as Liverpool became the first – and so far only – team to defeat the league leaders this term.

A disappointing 1-0 reversal at Swansea City followed, but the Reds bounced back in style with a 3-0 success at Huddersfield Town.

Klopp is on a seven-man shortlist that also includes Carlos Carvalhal (Swansea), Pep Guardiola (Man City), Eddie Howe (Bournemouth), Jose Mourinho (Manchester United), David Moyes (West Ham United) and Mauricio Pochettino (Tottenham Hotspur).

Fans can contribute towards the outcome taking part in the Premier League’s online poll. Click here to cast your vote.

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There have been no shortage of superlatives used to describe Mohamed Salah’s debut season at Liverpool so far, but one ex-Reds striker has highlighted an aspect of the Egyptian’s game he’s been particularly enthused by – the variation in his goals scored.

The No.11 took his tally to 28 for the campaign with a brace against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, which included a stunning solo second in which he single-handily bamboozled the opposing defence with a mazy run into the area before lofting over Hugo Lloris.

It was the latest in Salah’s ever-expanding repertoire, which has also included long-range efforts, tap ins, headers and clinical one-on-one finishes, and the diversity has left Robbie Fowler suitably impressed.

“It was a fantastic goal, but I love all goals,” the Anfield legend told Liverpoolfc.com with a smile. “It doesn’t matter if they are 30-yarders, beating five people before putting it in the back of the net or a little tap in, a goal is a goal.

“He is scoring all kinds of goals and we like that, but I don’t care what they're like – as long as he keeps scoring, I’m happy with that.”

Salah’s tally now stands at a remarkable 28 goals in just 34 appearances following his summer transfer from AS Roma – and all but one of them have come from open play.

Fowler continued: “He has been phenomenal, he has really hit the ground running. He looks like he’s got goals in him every game; with speed and sharpness he has, he’ll always cause defences a lot of problems.

“I hope it continues. We, as ex-players who are still big Liverpool fans, want him to keep going – we want him to break all the records goings because if he is scoring goals, it means we’re doing the right things.

“Of course, we want other players to chip in as well, but he is certainly doing his part. He is scoring goals and long may it continue.

“We go the game and want to be excited by players – and he is one of those players that will get you on the edge of your seat.

“More often than not, he will score a goal because of the way he plays; he plays on the shoulder, is not afraid to get the ball and is not afraid to take people on. He is exciting to watch. It is a great start and we want him to keep doing it for a lot longer.”

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Liverpool FC can now confirm the completion of the signing of defender Anderson Arroyo, who has immediately moved to Real Mallorca on an 18-month loan deal.

The 18-year-old – a Colombia U20 international – has joined the Reds from Fortaleza CEIF in his home country, for whom he made 22 appearances during the past three seasons, after a deal was reached during the January transfer window.

Arroyo has departed for a temporary spell in Spain, where he will spend the remainder of this campaign and the whole of the next with Segunda B leaders Mallorca.

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Meet Anderson Arroyo - Liverpool's roving Colombian who kept Richarlison quiet and has already met Anfield's Brazilian star

Never have two signings been more contrasted.

The first arrival of January came in the shape of Virgil van Dijk, a number of days before the transfer window actually opened. He cost £75million, was thrust straight into the first team, and was known by even the most casual supporter. The fanfare which greeted his signature was huge.

The final signing of the month came six days after it ended. Colombian teenager Anderson Arroyo has cost a nominal fee, but can not feature for the Reds until he receives a work permit. Because of that, he has moved to Spanish second-tier side Mallorca on loan until the summer of 2019 in a bid to give the 18-year-old first-team football. His deal was met with a collective shrug.

Van Dijk and Arroyo are linked by position alone, with both lining up in defence.

But while it would be wrong to suggest the South American's signing was as important as the Dutchman's, it reflects how the club continue to scout for talent at all levels.

Here is all the essential information on Liverpool's latest youngster...



How come he signed in February?

The Reds sealed the deal for Arroyo during the January transfer window but they have now received all the necessary paperwork.

Where does he play?

The full-back can play on both sides and is a Colombia Under-20s international. He progressed through the youth ranks at Fortaleza into the senior set-up and made 22 first-team appearances during the past three seasons.

He has also featured as one of three centre backs in a five-man defence at youth international level.

What's his story?

Born in Quibdo, Colombia, Arroyo has risen up the ranks of domestic football quickly.

His first club was in the south west of the country, with Boca Juniors de Cali - inspired by the Argentine giants from Buenos Aries - before emerging as a wing-back for his country's youth set-up.

It was there he caught the eye of second-tier side Fortaleza and has featured for them, despite his tender years, for the past three campaigns.

Liverpool opted to pursue a deal for Arroyo after he impressed during a trial at the Kirkby Academy, and also thrust himself on to the radar with some excellent showings in last year's Under-20s South American Youth Championships.

What happened there?

Colombia qualified for the final stage with some solid performances in the group stage, including a 1-0 victory over Brazil.

It was there he faced Liverpool man Allan Rodrigues de Souza, on loan at Hertha Berlin at the time, with Arroyo said to have put in a fine performance.

In the final stage - another group scenario - Colombia struggled, finishing bottom and failing to register a win in five attempts.

They did, however, manage another clean sheet against the Brazilians - including Richarlison, now of Watford, who was shining for Fluminese at the time.

Will he get a work permit?

He should - but not through traditional means.

To qualify automatically for a work permit he must play a proportion of first-team international games for Colombia, or feature prominently in a top league. His move to Mallorca will do neither.

But it is claimed the Spanish government allow Colombians - or inhabitants of other former Spanish colonies - to gain citizenship quicker.

His time at Mallorca, therefore, could see him with a Spanish passport by the end of his loan spell.

And the most important one... what sort of player is he?

Arroyo remains a mystery in general, with few in Europe seeing him perform in the flesh.

Those who have witnessed him in action say he is quick, direct, tenacious and possesses the ability to stand up an opponent and burst past him. Ashley Cole and David Alaba are amongst those he has been likened to in style.

Some expectations, then. Mallorca may have a few more followers this season...

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A good World Cup could see Mohamed Salah leave Liverpool for over £200million.

The sensational wide man has scored 28 goals in his debut campaign at Anfield, including 21 in the Premier League, with his latest an incredible individual effort in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Sunday.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal season for both club and country so far, also firing Egypt to their first World Cup since 1990.

Signed for just £36.9million from Roma last summer, Salah has become a superstar on Merseyside, with Real Madrid already unsurprisingly being linked with a huge bid.

Ex-Reds defender Phil Babb feels such a move for the player would be inevitable - especially if he takes his performances on to the biggest international stage.

The former Ireland international also believes Salah's abilities could command a world record fee - higher than the £200million fee Paris St-Germain paid for Neymar.

“It’s well over £100m (his value) now,” Babb told Sky Sports.

“His low centre of gravity and his ability to just waltz past players, it’s just an exceptional goal (against Spurs).

“He is one of the hottest properties in world football there is no shadow of a doubt.

"You do fantastically well but then you have the big Spanish giants and await their interest.

“They’re going to keep monitoring him and see if he keeps doing it till the end of the season, and if he does well in the World Cup, do they put in a massive world breaking bid in the summer transfer window?”