Head coach confirms midfielder’s return to Liverpool, whom Jurgen Klopp described as “a joy to watch.”

A Liverpool player who had been out on loan is reportedly set to return to Merseyside, with only some final paperwork needed before his temporary move is officially ended.
James McConnell, who joined Ajax on a season-long loan less than five months ago, is now on the brink of returning to his parent club after a frustrating stint in Amsterdam. The midfielder struggled for game time under former Reds assistant coach Johnny Heitinga, who brought him to the Eredivisie side, and has also been hampered by injuries. He hasn’t featured since Heitinga was sacked in early November (Transfermarkt).
Ajax confirms McConnell’s return to Liverpool
Late December reports from Lewis Steele suggested McConnell could be recalled by Liverpool this month, and it now appears this is happening. Ajax manager Fred Grim has confirmed the 21-year-old is back at Anfield, noting that “James McConnell has returned to Liverpool. There are just a few administrative formalities left, then it will be fully official” (via Liverpool World).
What’s next for McConnell?
The midfielder’s loan spell in Amsterdam didn’t work out as hoped, leaving Liverpool to carefully consider his next steps. McConnell’s potential was highly regarded; during the 2023/24 pre-season, Jurgen Klopp described him as “a joy to watch.” However, over two years, he has managed only 13 senior appearances for the Reds and is unlikely to add significantly to that tally anytime soon.
With stiff competition in Liverpool’s midfield and recent injury issues, McConnell faces a challenging path to compete with players like Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones for a starting spot. Unlike Harvey Elliott, who is restricted due to having played for two clubs already this season, McConnell is still eligible for a loan move, giving him a chance to gain valuable playing time before summer.
While his long-term future at Liverpool remains unclear, the hope is that McConnell can return to action quickly, move past his disappointing Ajax stint, and potentially rediscover the promise Klopp saw in him during his time at Anfield.