'INVISIBLE' Liverpool midfielder fighting for his future

Liverpool made the decision to get rid of several midfielders over the summer transfer window.

Tyler Morton left on a permanent deal for Lyon - with both Harvey Elliott and James McConnell going on loan.

In an ideal world, Elliott features in the requisite number of games for Aston Villa this season and triggers a £35m transfer next summer.

But in the case of McConnell, 20, it does appear that the former academy star has a future at Anfield.

Heitinga struggling at Ajax

McConnell impressed Arne Slot last season when called in to train with the first team and the Dutch manager doled out plenty of first-team minutes to the midfielder too.

Over the summer the former Sunderland academy star moved to Ajax on a one-season loan deal that looked like it would be great for his development.

Only it’s not worked out like that.

McConnell signing driven by Heitinga

Ajax, coached by former Slot assistant John Heitinga, are having a nightmare season and it would be no surprise to see Heitinga soon relieved of his duties.

The Amsterdam giants were embarrassed in the Champions League in midweek - losing 5-1 to Chelsea - leaving the former Liverpool coach hanging on by a thread.

The problem for McConnell is that Heitinga was the driving force behind his signing. If the 41-year-old is sacked then it will leave McConnell in mortal danger - much like Stefan Bajcetic was when Pep Lijnders was sacked by Red Bull Salzburg last year.

McConnell had a poor performance against the Blues at Stamford Bridge - earning a 4.5 rating in Voetbal Primeur.

Dutch media: McConnell was 'invisible'

“There wasn’t much that McConnell could do soon after the game had started,” the ratings article states.

“However, the Liverpool loanee was invisible most of the time and when he was part of the action, he seemed restless.”

There has been criticism levelled towards Ajax for signing McConnell - with it being reckoned he is standing in the way of homegrown talents. If Heitinga is soon sacked then his future will be very much up in the air.

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