Any heavyweight Premier League side working with a big squad will always sanction a number of loan deals in each passing campaign. In the case of Liverpool, spells elsewhere allow players of promise to gain valuable game time before returning better prepared to challenge for first-team spots.
Among those to have packed their bags at Anfield over the course of the 2021-22 campaign are Nat Phillips, Ben Davies and Neco Williams. A defensive trio have decided to try their luck outside of the top-flight, with all three heading in different directions.
They have ended up at the same level, though, and could all experience the same end result in a productive season away from their parent club. EFL Championship betting odds have Fulham at 1/40 for promotion, Bournemouth at 1/20 and Sheffield at 11/5. That bodes well for Williams, Phillips and Davies, with Championship football tips starting to fall in their favour.
Another one through the door 😏
Welcome, Nat Phillips 🤝 pic.twitter.com/J2exka0KE9
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) January 31, 2022
There is now a very real chance that three men who once formed part of the same squad chasing down major honours under Jurgen Klopp on Merseyside could have cause for similar celebrations in west London, Dorset and South Yorkshire.
If said targets can be hit, then that would represent a sizeable feather in the cap for those involved and Liverpool as a whole, as confidence established outside of a familiar comfort zone should serve collective efforts well in the long run.
All to play for
It is easy to understand why Williams, Phillips and Davies have decided to fly the nest at Liverpool, with their respective paths there being blocked by some rather imposing figures. Trying to oust the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip from Premier League and Champions League title-chasing plans is no easy task.
None have run away from those challenges, with enough time spent trying to prove their worth to a demanding boss, but personal ambition dictates that they are not happy to settle for life in the shadows. Willingness to spread wings and prove points elsewhere should be applauded.
That is especially true when all still have so much to play for heading into the business end of what was always going to be an enthralling season.
Boooom🎯🎯 another great win for us and happy to score 2 goals😁 yeh the celebration needs working on I know🤦🏼♂️😅 @FulhamFC pic.twitter.com/tUNcj40qfT
— Neco Williams (@necowilliams01) March 9, 2022
The Championship remains as competitive as ever and for Liverpool to have representatives at three front-running outfits will please them immensely and proves that shrewd transfer calls can be made when it comes to ins and outs at Anfield.
Liverpool also have Sheyi Ojo at Millwall and Sepp van den Berg with Preston North End as the obvious perks of second-tier loandeals are embraced. The likelihood is that more agreements will follow in the summer of 2022 – both short-term and permanent.
For now, though, Reds coaches, players and supporters can enjoy watching some of their own compete for the same kind of success that they are hoping to enjoy themselves – just with less stress involved as neutral observers.
While longing for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to record trebles in each passing game that they are involved in, Liverpool now have three men chasing down a different kind of hat-trick as promotion races heat up in the second tier.