Midfielder in right place after summer transfer U-turn | OneFootball

Liverpool have been experts at using the loan system in recent seasons.

The likes of Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah have benefitted from temporary spells away from the club further down the English league pyramid before coming back to Anfield and excelling as Premier League title winners.

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Last season Owen Beck, Lewis Koumas and Stefan Bajcetic are among those who enjoyed productive spells out on loan.

Whether the plan is first-team football - in the case of Bradley - or else earning money in the transfer market for the club, the plan has been working well.

James Balagizi heads out on loan

Players are developed, they gain experience before returning home to Merseyside where the next phase of their career is plotted out.

This season, Beck and Koumas are among those out on loan - while Luca Stephenson has been excellent for Dundee United north of the border.

And one more player with an unexpected chance to shine out on loan this season has been midfielder James Balagizi.

The 21-year-old who joined the Reds as a boy from Manchester City was expected to leave on a permanent basis last summer.

Balagizi hits equaliser for FGR

It was reported that the former England under-20 international underwent a trial in Sweden but ultimately no deal materialised for him. He found himself back at Anfield, later securing a surprise loan move to National League side Forest Green Rovers.

The promotion-chasing side are managed by Robbie Savage - and got a draw out of their weekend fixture against Scunthorpe. Balagizi was right there at the clutch moment for Forest Green - capitalising on a loose ball in added time to snaffle a late equaliser.

It ensured a point for his side - and after the game he reflected on what he’s been told by Liverpool for his loan spell for the season.

Balagizi: This is the right platform

“Mostly they just wished me luck and told me to go and express myself, to show everyone what I can do,” he told the club’s YouTube channel.

“I feel like being here at Forest Green is the right platform for me to kick on with my career. Everyone’s been really positive towards me.”

No doubt Liverpool’s loan staff will be watching intently as Balagizi is put through his paces at National League level this season.

While it’s unlikely he will come back into contention for a first-team place - although he did feature under Jurgen Klopp - Liverpool will no doubt have the next part of Balagizi’s journey mapped out.

Let’s wish him luck for the campaign ahead. He will be coming back to Anfield next summer a more seasoned and experienced performer.