A Liverpool player is set to return to Anfield immediately after reportedly having their loan deal terminated
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot looks on prior to the Premier League match against Wolves
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Liverpool are set to welcome young midfielder James McConnell back to Anfield as his loan stint with Ajax is reportedly due to be cut short.
The 21-year-old has found it challenging to make a mark in Holland, having started only two matches during his temporary stay at the Johan Cruyff Arena. McConnell moved to Ajax at the end of August after John Heitinga left Anfield, where he was Arne Slot's deputy, to take up the head coach role at the Dutch giants.
The Englishman was in the starting line-up for his side's 5-1 Champions League loss to Chelsea and also started when Ajax triumphed over Twente in a league match four days later. However, he was substituted at half-time against Twente and has clocked just 219 minutes of play during his tenure in Amsterdam.
Heitinga, who had previously worked with McConnell at Liverpool, was dismissed from his position as Ajax boss at the beginning of November after the team had secured just one victory in their previous seven matches. It now seems that McConnell's time at the club will also be drawing to a close.
According to Dutch publication Voetbal International, McConnell's stint at Ajax will be limited to half a season, and he will return to Liverpool. Ajax had planned to sign an experienced defensive midfielder in the summer and had shown interest in Edson Alvarez and Julian Weigl.
However, there were differing opinions among the Ajax staff about Weigl, leading them to opt for McConnell instead. Ajax intend to explore the loan market again in January to sign a more seasoned No. 6 to fill the void left by the departing Liverpool loanee.
The Daily Mail has reported that McConnell has attracted interest from Championship clubs West Brom, Derby, Oxford and Swansea, with the latter appointing former Reds coach Vitor Matos as their new manager in November.
James McConnell of AFC Ajax during the UEFA Champions League match against Chelsea in October
Liverpool's James McConnell has endured a difficult loan spell at Ajax
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However, Slot might choose to field the former England under-20s international in Liverpool's FA Cup third-round clash with Barnsley in January. This could thwart another loan move for McConnell before the season's end, as players are only permitted to play for two clubs each season.
Liverpool have had a challenging few months in the Premier League, falling behind their title rivals after suffering six defeats in seven league matches between the end of September and late November.
However, the Reds have bounced back in recent weeks, securing three consecutive league victories after defeating Brighton, Tottenham and Wolves this month. Slot's team will return to action when they host Leeds on New Year's Day, followed by a trip to Fulham three days later.