Arne Slot has placed greater emphasis on Liverpool’s midfield in recent weeks after implementing a change in formation.
The Reds now tend to play with four midfielders, often including Florian Wirtz, as they look to give themselves a more solid platform to build on.
While that has been working out well for Slot so far, Dominik Szoboszlai’s suspension against Wolves highlighted that Liverpool do not have enough quality options to cover for absences.
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Liverpool can only sign ONE player this January, which position should they strengthen?
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The season still has long to go, and if one of Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister or Curtis Jones goes down with an injury, the Reds really do not have anyone to come in and cover.
It has been exciting to see young Trey Nyoni given some late opportunities in the past two matches, but his inclusion has only served to shine further light on the lack of depth Liverpool currently have. Thankfully, with the January transfer window approaching, Slot is reportedly set to see his options swell by one.
James McConnell likely to be recalled from Ajax
Although Nyoni is one of the most exciting young players currently at Liverpool, he is arguably not Slot’s favourite midfield prospect on the Reds’ books.
That player is James McConnell, who was praised considerably by the Liverpool head coach after some cameo appearances last season.
James McConnell pictured in action for Ajax during the UEFA Champions League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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McConnell has since gone on-loan to Ajax, where he has struggled to break into an underwhelming team.
The 21-year-old has played only seven times for the Amsterdam giants, and according to The Daily Mail, Liverpool are now likely to recall McConnell in January.
Although there is said to be interest from a host of Championship sides – including from Vitor Matos’ Swansea – it is also claimed that Slot could opt to then use McConnell in the FA Cup tie against Barnsley on January 12th.
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Trey Nyoni in action during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield.
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Trey Nyoni
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If he does, the youngster will be forced to stay at Liverpool for the remainder of the campaign as rules prevent any player from featuring for three different clubs in one season.
Liverpool have to keep James McConnell around
Given the stark lack of depth in central midfield, it would feel like a no-brainer for Liverpool to keep McConnell around for the second half of the campaign.
Supporters would no doubt prefer to see a new signing brought in, but there appears to be precious little chance of that happening, especially in midfield.
Slot is clearly a big fan of McConnell’s, though, and although he has not settled at Ajax, he has always shown plenty while playing for Liverpool.
If he does stay, Slot must use McConnell, however, or risk slowing down his development even further.
The former Sunderland prospect will be 22 in September and a final decision on his Liverpool future will need to be made sooner rather than later. Before that happens, the cards may be falling into place for McConnell to have a real crack at the Liverpool first team for the rest of the campaign.
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