21-year-old is coming to Liverpool midfield after transfer U-turn

Liverpool are currently crying out for midfield reinforcements.

Top stars from the 2024/25 Premier League title-winning campaign such as Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister haven’t been at their best this season.

And rotation option Wataru Endo has been pressed into action at centre-back following his return from injury. Dominik Szoboszlai meanwhile has been used by head coach Arne Slot in a variety of positions.

Homegrown talent Curtis Jones has been good - if inconsistent - and all five midfielders have missed matches this term owing to injury.

It’s clear another rotation option will be required during the second half of the season although there are no plans to add a new player in the transfer market.

U-turn sees McConnell back at Liverpool

Instead according to a report on Liverpool.com it looks like a returning loan player is set to play a first-team role for Slot in the upcoming weeks and months.

James McConnell, 21, was initially expected to spend the season away from Anfield - on loan at Ajax. But his time with the Dutch giants is already at an end following the decision by the Reds to recall him earlier in January.

McConnell moved to the Eredivisie alongside Arne Slot’s title-winning assistant John Heitinga - who took the job as Ajax’s head coach.

His tenure lasted only 15 matches however before he was sacked - plunging McConnell’s future into doubt. An injury then complicated matters further - with the midfielder returning to the AXA Training Centre for treatment.

McConnell will be a rotation option

It’s expected that the former Sunderland academy star will be out of action for another week or so. But once he recovers Liverpool will keep McConnell around rather than seeking a second loan deal of the campaign.

Teams in the Championship and further afield would have loved to take McConnell on loan but the club’s decision to retain him speaks to the severe selection crisis Slot currently has got in midfield.

McConnell has played 13 times for the Reds’ senior side - making his debut under Jurgen Klopp back in 2023. He was part of Arne Slot’s squad last season too - impressing the head coach in a Champions League outing against PSV.

Before the deal with Ajax was sealed McConnell signed a new five-year deal at Anfield - demonstrating the faith Liverpool’s decision-makers have got in his talents.

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