Liverpool have recalled one of thier loanees at the start of the January transfer window
John Heitinga during an interview
John Heitinga reunited with a Liverpool player at Ajax(Image: Broer van den Boom/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
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Former Liverpool assistant John Heitinga’s plan for James McConnell did not come to fruition. The 21-year-old sealed a loan move to the Dutch giants in the summer but struggled for regular minutes and has been recalled by the Reds.
There was hope that McConnell would thrive in the Eredivisie as he reunited with a coach he had worked with last season. Arne Slot’s former assistant was named Ajax boss in May, returning to his boyhood club as manager, and used his Reds connections to recruit the England U20 international.
McConnell, who made four appearances for Liverpool last term, was joined by fellow loanee Vitezslav Jaros as he went in search of regular minutes. With Ajax looking to replace Jordan Henderson in midfield, new boss Heitinga had been won over by McConnell's combativeness in Liverpool training.
"He got a knock on the mouth during training and lost a tooth, but he only went looking for it afterward. That says everything about him," Heitinga explained to De Telegraaf.
“At Ajax, we're still dealing with the situation: what's feasible and what's not. Mentally, McConnell is in a good place; he can play as a six, and certainly as a 'double six.' But like all midfielders, he'll have to work incredibly hard to get playing."
The young midfielder was eased into first team action, making two starts in seven appearances by early November. However, any budding momentum came to a sudden halt when Heitinga was sacked and his plan backfired.
James McConnell of Ajax
James McConnell did not feature for Ajax after Heitinga left the club in November
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While goalkeeper Jaros remained a key player for Ajax, McConnell did not feature after Heitinga’s departure. Ahead of the January transfer window, Dutch media reported that the midfielder’s Ajax deal would be terminated, a far cry from McConnell’s optimistic outlook in the summer.
Upon joining the club, he said: “It feels really good (to be an Ajax player) and I am excited and I can’t wait to get started. (I heard they were interested) three, four or five days ago, and obviously the manager, John Heitinga, rang me and said that he thinks I can help the team.
“When a club like this comes asking, you can’t say no. He (Heitinga) worked at Liverpool last year and he helped me a lot. I know how intense he is and what his expectations are. I am looking forward to working with him again.
James McConnell playing for Ajax
One of McConell's two Ajax starts came against Chelsea in the Champions League
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“I want to come and try and help this club. And, like I said, you can’t say no when a team like this comes.”
McConnell had signed a new five-year contract with Liverpool before heading out to Ajax. The midfield prospect has since been linked with a Championship loan move in his quest for game time.
Several Championship clubs were previously interested in McConnell before he headed to the Netherlands. Among them were Swansea City, who have since appointed former Liverpool elite development coach Vitor Matos as manager.
McConnell has made 13 appearances for Liverpool during his career. Jurgen Klopp gave him his debut against Toulouse in October 2023, featuring nine times in his breakthrough season.