Kostas Tsimikas of AS Roma is seen during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Rangers FC and AS Roma at Ibrox Stadium on November 06, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)placeholder image
Kostas Tsimikas of AS Roma is seen during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Rangers FC and AS Roma at Ibrox Stadium on November 06, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Several of Liverpool’s loan players are struggling to make an impact for various reasons at their respective clubs.
The January transfer window is upon us - but it might not be a busy one for Liverpool.
Certainly, in terms of incomings, it is set to be a quiet month at Anfield. It usually is unless there are deals that the Reds feel they need to make. Liverpool are not averse to buying players in the winter; having swooped for Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz in 2023 and 2022 respectively. But Liverpool will only make signings if they feel there is a market opportunity, having spent around £450 million in the summer.
It could also be fairly subdued in terms of outgoings. Arne Slot is already working with a squad on the smaller side and he will not want it to be stretched any further.
However, there could be work for Liverpool to do in terms of players currently out on loan. In truth, not too many are working out as the Reds might have hoped. And there could be as many of five players recalled if agreements can be reached.
Harvey Elliott – Aston Villa
It was a switch that plenty felt would suit all parties involved. When it emerged that Villa were keen on the attacking midfielder, many Liverpool fans felt it was a move Elliott deserved.
Elliott always gave his all for his boyhood club and regularly showed his quality. Memorable performances included coming off the bench to score in a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last season. His display off the bench to help earn a 2-0 victory at Brentford was pivotal in the Premier League title triumph.
Ultimately, though, Elliott yearned for regular minutes, and that was not going to happen at Anfield following the arrival of Florian Wirtz.
Villa looked as though they would be the perfect move. Elliott was joining a team competing at the upper echelons of the Premier League and in Europe. However, the former Fulham man has barely had a sniff under Unai Emery. Elliott has played just six times in all competitions and has not been included in a league matchday squad since October. Villa do not want Elliott to make 10 appearances, as they would then be obliged to make his loan permanent for £35 million.
There is no break clause in Elliott’s loan agreement, and reports suggest Villa would have to pay Liverpool a fee to terminate the deal early.
James McConnell - Ajax
On the face of things, it was another loan that made total sense. McConnell showed flashes of his ability last season, winning praise from Slot after a 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.
A move to a European giant was supposed to aid his development, while reuniting with Johnny Heitinga — who was part of Slot’s coaching staff at Liverpool last season — meant McConnell would be playing under a head coach familiar with his strengths.
However, the midfielder has struggled in Amsterdam. McConnell has suffered injuries, while Heitinga’s sacking in November was another blow. The 21-year-old has not played since the start of November.
McConnell could head out on loan again, with the likes of Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion linked.
Owen Beck - Derby County
There may have been a stage when Beck believed he could force his way into Liverpool’s plans. After impressing at Dundee United in 2023-24, Beck was making decent progress at Blackburn Rovers last season before suffering hamstring issues — problems that have continued to plague the left-back at Derby County.
Beck has not made a single appearance for the Rams, who sit 14th in the Championship. He is set to be unavailable for potentially another two months, and it would come as no surprise if he heads back to Anfield.
Kostas Tsimikas - AS Roma
Milos Kerkez’s £40 million summer arrival appeared to spell the end of the Greece international’s time at Anfield. With Andy Robertson opting to remain at Liverpool rather than pursue a possible move to Atlético Madrid, Tsimikas slipped to third choice in the left-back pecking order.
However, Liverpool may only agree to that if they are not financially impacted. Meanwhile, the Reds currently do not have a non-homegrown player slot available in their Premier League squad.
Isaac Mabaya - Wigan Athletic
In the summer of 2022, Mabaya’s pre-season performances had plenty of fans excited, with manager Jürgen Klopp also duly impressed. However, the right-back is another of Liverpool’s youngsters to have struggled with fitness problems.
After joining Wigan in August, Mabaya would have hoped to kick-start his career. Latics boss Ryan Lowe was delighted to secure the former England Under-19 international, but in just his third outing he sustained an Achilles injury that required surgery.
Lowe had hoped Liverpool would do the League One side ‘a favour’ by terminating the loan, but that did not prove to be the case. Wigan may still look to free up a squad space for the second half of the campaign by ending the deal early.
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