“Official: Highly-rated midfielder makes return to Liverpool”

 

 

A Liverpool player who had been sent out on loan has now officially returned to Merseyside after his temporary move was brought to an early end.

James Balagizi linked up with National League side Forest Green Rovers on a season-long loan last August, but his time away from Anfield was disrupted by injury. The midfielder featured just 10 times for Robbie Savage’s team before a hamstring problem stalled his momentum.

According to The Athletic, the 22-year-old had already been back at Liverpool in recent weeks to continue his rehabilitation, having last played for Forest Green in their FA Cup defeat to Luton on Halloween. On Tuesday afternoon, the Gloucestershire club confirmed via their website and social media platforms that Balagizi’s loan spell had been terminated and he had returned to Liverpool.

Forest Green said in a statement on X:

“We can confirm James Balagizi has returned to Liverpool. The 22-year-old made 10 appearances for Rovers, scoring a last-minute equaliser against Scunthorpe United earlier this season. We would all like to thank James for his contributions and wish him every success in the future.”

Balagizi had previously shown real promise during his teenage years with some eye-catching displays in Liverpool’s academy, as well as during a loan spell at Crawley Town in 2022. At the time, then-manager Kevin Betsy predicted the midfielder would go on to enjoy a “fantastic career”.

However, this marks the third occasion that Balagizi has been recalled from a season-long loan in January, and at 22 years old, the lack of continuity is unlikely to help his development. With just six months left on the contract he signed in the summer of 2023, an exit from Anfield as a free agent at the end of the season now appears increasingly likely.

The midfielder never made a competitive senior appearance for Liverpool, though he was named on the bench twice in domestic cup matches during the 2021/22 campaign. While another short-term loan for the remainder of the season remains possible—and could potentially lead to a permanent move—his immediate future remains uncertain.

For now, the priority will be making a full recovery from the hamstring injury that prematurely ended his spell at Forest Green. Although a breakthrough at Liverpool looks unlikely, there’s hope that Balagizi can still carve out a successful and rewarding career elsewhere.