Liverpool right-back CRISIS could see loan star recalled

Liverpool have found replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold to be an arduous task.

The 27-year-old right-back called time on his Liverpool career last summer - swapping Anfield for Real Madrid.

Sporting director Richard Hughes signed Jeremie Frimpong on a £29.5m deal from Bayer Leverkusen - and also offered a new, long-term contract to Conor Bradley.

But both have struggled - for form and fitness this term - and Dominik Szoboszlai has even been used as an emergency right-back.

Furthermore even Calvin Ramsay, long since forgotten about, has managed to get first-team minutes under Arne Slot during this campaign.

Luca Stephenson is flying for Dundee United

Such have been Liverpool’s right-back woes there is now a suggestion that they could be planning a loan recall in January for a player who can feature in that position.

Luca Stephenson, 22, has been in terrific form for Dundee United ever since moving there on loan for the 2024/25 season.

He returned to Liverpool during the off-season, playing for Arne Slot in preseason, before heading off on loan to Dundee United once again after signing a new deal at Anfield.

Stephenson, who also plays midfield and wing-back, has scored three times in nine Scottish top-flight games this season - excelling in the weekend draw against league leaders Hearts.

According to a report from the Courier, Liverpool staff were in attendance to monitor Stephenson’s form - amid whispers that they could utilise a mid-season break clause in his loan deal.

Liverpool watch Luca Stephenson in Hearts draw

“The display was watched in person by members of the Anfield outfit’s loan management team, making one of their sporadic trips to Scotland to keep tabs on the versatile wingback,” the report reads.

“It would come as little surprise if Liverpool were considering their options with regards to Stephenson – most season-long agreements have a break clause in January – given Jeremie Frimpong’s injury issues.”

However, speaking to the same outlet following the game, Stephenson played down suggestions that he would be making the return to Merseyside ahead of time.

Stephenson wants to stay in Scotland

“I want to stick around for the full season here,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter how well I’m doing or how well I did last season, when I join a club, I commit to a full season.

“I almost try and forget about being a Liverpool player a little bit. I’m a Dundee United player and that’s my only concern.”

The first task for Frimpong needs to be returning to full fitness and becoming the player Liverpool thought they were signing in the first place.

And Bradley of course needs to work on his consistency. Once those two problems are solved then any talk of Stephenson coming back to the club early should be put to bed.

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