Liverpool defender Anderson Arroyo rounded off his loan spell with Alaves by helping the club earn promotion to La Liga.
Triumphing 1-0 over two legs in their play-off final tie with Levante, it took a penalty in the ninth minute of extra time of Saturday's showdown to prevent a penalty shootout and sealed Alaves' return to the Spanish top flight after only one season away.
Though unable to feature in this match of major importance, Arroyo made a total of 18 league appearances over the course of the campaign during what has been his sixth loan moved away from Anfield.
Recruited in 2018 from Fortaleza in his home country of Colombia, the 23-year-old was scouted after catching the eye of scouts courtesy of his performances at the 2017 Under-20s South American Youth Championship - a tournament he participated in alongside none other than Luis Diaz.
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Work permit issues have prevented Arroyo from making a single first-team appearance for Liverpool, resulting in temporary moves to Real Mallorca, Gent, Mlada Boleslav, Salamanca, Mirandes and Alaves. Choosing Spain as the destination for each of his previous three loans has proven to be a success, being provided the opportunity to earn outings that were not forthcoming during his earlier moves.
It is unlikely Arroyo will have a long-term future at Anfield and fans could be forgiven for forgetting his identity, therefore it came as somewhat of a surprise to see the defender sign a new contract at the club until 2025 last summer. Clearly a player the club are unwilling to give up on just yet, Arroyo shares a similar mindset of his long-term prospects on Merseyside. Speaking to WFI in 2020 of his aspirations of one day representing the club, he said: "The truth is that it is my goal, my wish, my dream to be able to make my debut for Liverpool.
“That is why, every day, I want to do things in the best way. I want to give everything and keep learning. I have to be there and I will give all I have to get there. My future goal is to play for Liverpool and to be able to consolidate myself in the first team. It is what I have longed for since I signed for the club, and I hope that dream comes true.”
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