Manager confirms midfielder’s Liverpool comeback after being praised by Klopp as ‘a joy to watch’

A Liverpool player who had been out on loan is reportedly back in Merseyside, with only some final paperwork needed before his temporary move is officially ended. Less than five months after being loaned to Ajax for what was meant to be a full-season stint, James McConnell is set to return to his parent club, following a frustrating period in Amsterdam.

The midfielder was brought to the Eredivisie side by former Reds assistant coach Johnny Heitinga, but hasn’t featured since Heitinga’s dismissal in early November and has also struggled with injuries (Transfermarkt).
Ajax manager Fred Grim has confirmed McConnell’s return, stating (via Liverpool World): “James McConnell has returned to Liverpool. Only a few administrative formalities remain before it becomes official.”

McConnell’s time in Amsterdam didn’t go as planned, and Liverpool now face the task of deciding his next steps. The 21-year-old showed promise in pre-season before the 2023/24 campaign, with Jurgen Klopp calling him “a joy to watch.” Yet over two years, he has made just 13 senior appearances for the Reds, and adding to that tally this season seems unlikely.

With Liverpool’s midfield highly competitive and McConnell’s recent injury issues, challenging players like Ryan Gravenberch or Curtis Jones for a starting spot would be difficult. However, unlike Harvey Elliott—who has reached the maximum number of clubs for this season and can’t go out on loan—McConnell hasn’t played for another team this campaign, leaving him eligible for a loan move until summer to gain valuable game time.

While his long-term future at Liverpool is still unclear, the hope is that he can resume playing soon, move past the disappointing spell at Ajax, and potentially rediscover the promise Klopp saw in him during the latter stages of his time at Anfield.