As Liverpool's first team jet about the planet on international duty or just take a hear earned break this week, here's a summary of how Liverpool's on loan players are fairing out in the Championship and beyond.
Nat Phillips - Bournemouth
Centre-back Phillips was thrust into the Anfield limelight last season when he found himself answering the call of Jurgen Klopp to fill a defensive crisis.
This campaign, the 25-year-old has been on loan at Championship side Bournemouth, who are looking for a quick return to the Premier League. Phillips has forged a central defensive partnership with Lloyd Kelly, keeping the likes of Gary Cahill and Chris Mepham on the bench.
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Cherries boss Scott Parker is pretty insistent on his side playing out from the back and that has seen Phillips receiving a lot more of the ball from the start of moves. Phillips has made eight appearances for Bournemouth so far, who are riding high in the Championship, with only Fulham above them.
The south coast side will likely to be interested in making Phillips' loan deal permanent at the end of the season, but given that he is under contract with the Reds until 2025, they will have to stump up a sizeable fee.
Neco Williams - Fulham
Right-back Williams made that switch from Anfield to Craven Cottage on transfer deadline day and quite frankly has never looked back.
His all-action performances, two goals and two assists have already endeared him to the Fulham faithful as the West London club continue to sit at the summit of the Championship, with what looks like and unassailable lead.
Williams' form for Fulham has also ensured that his involvement with the Welsh international squad is serious, as he admitted this week when preparing for his country's one-legged World Cup play-off semi-final against Austria on Thursday.
He said: “As footballers, you just want to play as much football as possible. For me at Liverpool, it’s going to be limited game-time because of the players ahead of me and the world-class players I’m with. Coming to Wales previously has been about trying to keep up fitness but for this camp I’m playing regular football, enjoying it, scoring, assisting, so it’s going well and I feel I’m in the best possible shape I can be in."
Ben Davies - Sheffield United
Centre-back Davies, who was an emergency signing by Jurgen Klopp during his defensive crisis last season but has never made a first team appearance for the Reds, joined Sheffield United on loan at the start of the season and has made 18 appearances for the Blades. But his future at Bramall Lane does not look too rosy thanks to a series of setbacks.
According to Sheffield Star reporter James Shields: “Davies has struggled with a number of issues, including Covid-19, since arriving on loan from Liverpool. Coaching staff told journalists recently that he is now receiving treatment for a calf muscle injury.”
Davies' Liverpool contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
Sepp van den Berg - Preston North End
Dutch defender Van den Berg is popular at Deepdale and North End manager Ryan Lowe - a renowned Liverpool supporter himself - is keen to extend the 20-year-old's time in Lancashire for another season.
Van den Berg has made 42 appearances for Preston this season, scoring twice.
Speaking to Lancs Live, Lowe said: “With Sepp, Liverpool were in here the other day for a full day, watching what we do and how we go about it. We’re in contact with them but again, it’s down to Sepp and what he wants to do.”
The player himself appears to have a different view however. Van den Berg said: “You never know, but I reckon after this season that it, unfortunately, has to come to an end.”
Paul Glatzel - Tranmere Rovers
Glatzel has struggled with injuries at Prenton Park but still made a lasting impression on the Super White Army, becoming a fans' favourite.
The 21-year-old scored six goals in 21 appearances for the Birkenhead club, who are chasing promotion back to League One, but his season is over after suffering a serious hamstring injury. It may be that he has played his last game for Rovers.
Jake Cain - Newport County
Midfielder Cain was slow bedded into the Newport midfield at the start of the season, but in the absence of Robbie Willmott, he now an important cog in the Exiles' engine room.
Cain has made 24 appearances for County this season helping them to challenge Tranmere for promotion to League One, in what is an extremely close battle being fought out by a number of teams in the division.
Speaking about Cain, Newport manager James Rowberry recently told The South Wales Argus: “He has stepped up and you can see he’s a product of Liverpool and that he has trained with the first team there.
“His ability to counter press and be in transition shows how good he can be and how he suits the team. Jake knows he still has areas to improve. It’s a really good opportunity to keep developing."
