A Liverpool player is set to return to Anfield immediately after reportedly having their loan deal terminated
Liverpool are set to welcome young midfielder James McConnell back to Anfield as his loan stint with Ajax is reportedly due to be cut short, according to a new report.
The 21-year-old has found it challenging to make a mark in Holland, having started only two matches during his temporary stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena. McConnell moved to Ajax at the end of August after John Heitinga left Anfield, where he was Arne Slot’s deputy, to take up the head coach role at the Dutch giants.
The Englishman was in the starting line-up for his side’s 5-1 Champions League loss to Chelsea and also started when Ajax triumphed over Twente in a league match four days later. However, he was substituted at half-time against Twente and has clocked just 219 minutes of play during his tenure in Amsterdam.
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Heitinga, who had previously worked with McConnell at Liverpool, was dismissed from his position as Ajax boss at the beginning of November after the team had secured just one victory in their previous seven matches. It now seems that McConnell’s time at the club will also be drawing to a close.
And according to Dutch publication Voetbal InternationalMcConnell’s stint at Ajax will be limited to half a season, and he will return to Liverpool. Ajax had planned to sign an experienced defensive midfielder in the summer and had shown interest in Edson Alvarez and Julian Weigl.
The report states: “James McConnell’s stay at Ajax will be limited to half a season. His loan agreement with Liverpool will be terminated, and the midfielder will return to England.
“Ajax intended to sign an experienced player for the holding midfield position. The top candidate was Edson Álvarez, while Julian Weigl was also a serious option. Because the coaching staff was divided on the latter, the switch was made, and McConnell was ultimately loaned from Liverpool, where the now-fired John Heitinga was working as Arne Slot’s assistant.
“That wasn’t a success. McConnell only played seven matches for Ajax’s first team and hasn’t been in the squad in recent weeks. The expectation was that he would return to Liverpool, and now that’s actually happening.”
The Daily Mail has reported that McConnell has attracted interest from Championship clubs West Brom, Derby, Oxford and Swansea, with the latter appointing former Reds coach Vitor Matos as their new manager in November.
However, Slot might choose to field the former England under-20s international in Liverpool’s FA Cup third-round clash with Barnsley in January. This could thwart another loan move for McConnell before the season’s end, as players are only permitted to play for two clubs each season.
Liverpool have had a challenging few months in the Premier League, falling behind their title rivals after suffering six defeats in seven league matches between the end of September and late November.
However, the Reds have bounced back in recent weeks, securing three consecutive league victories after defeating Brighton, Tottenham and Wolves this month. Slot’s team will return to action when they host Leeds on New Year’s Day, followed by a trip to Fulham three days later.
