“Major Chance: Liverpool Set to Welcome Two Returns in January as Permanent Exit Talks Continue”

 

 

Liverpool loanees James McConnell and Owen Beck are set to return to Anfield in January after their loan deals were cut short.

Both players had been seeking first-team action—McConnell at Ajax and Beck at Derby County—but opportunities were limited, particularly for McConnell. The 21-year-old midfielder managed just 219 minutes across seven appearances in all competitions during his time in the Eredivisie. Ajax, struggling in the 2025/26 season, are currently 16 points adrift of league leaders PSV.

Beck, 23, hasn’t fared much better in the Championship. His stint was interrupted by injury, requiring hamstring surgery after a 40-minute appearance for Blackburn Rovers’ U21s, according to The Athletic. The same report notes that fellow left-back James Norris, 22, could be making a permanent move to Shelbourne following a successful loan spell, where he logged 734 minutes over 11 games.

It seems Liverpool view Milos Kerkez as their long-term starting left-back. Any additional opportunities in that position would depend on Andy Robertson and the club’s recruitment plans, especially after reported summer interest from Atletico Madrid. For now, it appears unlikely that Beck will play a major role in the first team.

McConnell presents a more intriguing scenario. He was highlighted by head coach Arne Slot in January after an impressive Champions League performance against PSV. Since then, however, his involvement at Anfield has stalled. He had a chance during Liverpool’s disappointing FA Cup fourth-round exit to Plymouth but saw no further senior appearances before his loan to Ajax.

With Slot likely wanting to avoid over-relying on Wataru Endo to give Ryan Gravenberch rest, McConnell might have a pathway into the squad. Gravenberch has had some enforced downtime due to injury and a red card suspension from last season, yet he still ranks fourth in total minutes across all competitions, underscoring the challenge for McConnell to break through.