Forgotten Liverpool defender still waiting for debut after loans to six different clubs and impressing with Luis Diaz.
Many players view a loan as the ideal opportunity to showcase their talent for their parent club.
Recent examples include Harvey Elliott, who left Liverpool in search of consistent first-team action but later returned to Anfield in a strong position to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s plans. Others, like Harry Wilson and Rhian Brewster, improved their reputations while temporarily living outside of L4, while also experiencing success, before being bought out for a high price.
But not every Reds player who is sent off with the intention of furthering their careers gets the chance to demonstrate the skills they’ve picked up elsewhere. After being acquired by Liverpool in 2015, striker Taiwo Awoniyi spent seven different loan periods away from Anfield before leaving the team permanently in 2021 to join Bundesliga team Union Berlin. Despite the fact that work permit issues contributed to the Nigerian’s lack of opportunities, the Reds never once called upon him during this entire time.
The 25-year-old was signed by Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest in a £17.4 million deal after making 31 league appearances and tallying 15 goals last season. It was ironic that the forward scored the game’s lone goal when going head-to-head with Liverpool back in October, taking advantage of his opportunity to perform in the English Premier League.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s next club, the latest on Khephren Thuram, and Steven Gerrard’s offer are all part of the LIVE transfer news from Liverpool.
Although Awoniyi may no longer be a Red, another Liverpool player is going through some of the same things as the forward for Forest. Defender Anderson Arroyo was signed in 2018 from Fortaleza, Colombia. He was discovered after impressing scouts at the 2017 Under-20s South American Youth Championship, where he competed alongside none other than Luis Diaz.
Arroyo was sent on an 18-month loan to Real Mallorca right away after being acquired by Liverpool, going there without a work permit and starting in the Spanish club’s B-team. This came to an end at the conclusion of the 2017–18 campaign when the 23-year-old, along with the aforementioned Awoniyi, signed a temporary contract with Belgian club Gent. Despite this, he was unable to play for the senior team.
Although a fractured metatarsal sustained in training ended hopes of traveling with the rest of the team on the club’s 2019 preseason tour of America, the possibility of playing for Klopp’s team was on the table. The top-tier Czech team Mlada Boleslav was the next team to take a chance on Arroyo the following year after recovering from this six-week blow, but this, too, turned out to be a failure for all parties involved.
His subsequent three loan destinations, Salamanca, Mirandes, and now Alaves, have all been in Spain. His time at Mirandes turned out to be particularly advantageous; he participated in 39 of the team’s 42 second-tier games.
The right-back, who can also play center-back and is currently aiming for promotion to La Liga with Alaves, has been relegated to a supporting role and, based on the evidence at hand, is unlikely to return to the club for a second stint next season.
Arroyo has the chance to assist Alaves in securing a return to Spain’s top division of football before his time at the club comes to an end. There is a chance he could be used if this play-off head-to-head goes the distance, as he will face Levante in a two-legged match for the final exit from LaLiga 2, with the first leg taking place this evening.
It was unexpected to see the defender sign a new contract at Anfield until 2025 last summer because he still lacks a work permit to represent Liverpool in England. Arroyo has a similar perspective on his long-term prospects on Merseyside, making it clear that the club is not ready to give up just yet. Speaking to WFI in 2020 about his hopes of one day playing for the team, he said: “The truth is that it is my goal, my wish, and my dream to be able to make my debut for Liverpool.
“For this reason, I strive to carry out my tasks in the best manner possible every day. I want to put everything into learning new things. I will do everything in my power to get there because I must be there. My long-term objective is to represent Liverpool and establish myself in the starting lineup. I hope my dream comes true because it is what I have yearned for ever since I joined the team.
Speaking to Liverpool . com last year, Arroyo expressed a similar optimism about possibly playing at Anfield one day. He added: “Liverpool have always been attentive to me while out on loan. I want to make a name for myself in European soccer and, ideally, remain at Liverpool. It’s hard to pinpoint which position I would play if I were to go back to Liverpool.
“I believe I would be at ease in either of the two positions the manager will need me in because I like them, I am content defending, and I also like to go forward.
