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The January transfer window is set to bring some of Liverpool’s loan stars back home earlier than expected.
Ajax manager Fred Grim has officially confirmed that James McConnell’s loan deal has been terminated, with the 21-year-old midfielder returning to Liverpool after a disastrous spell in Amsterdam. Speaking to journalists ahead of his side’s Eredivisie clash with Telstar, Grim confirmed the mutual agreement between both clubs.
“By agreement between both clubs, he has returned to Liverpool. There are still some administrative procedures to be completed, and then it will be final,” Grim stated.
The situation was complicated by Ajax’s managerial turmoil. John Heitinga, who had served as Arne Slot’s assistant during Liverpool’s title-winning 2024-25 campaign, was sacked after just four months in charge following dismal results—winning only five of 11 Eredivisie matches and losing all four Champions League games. His replacement, Fred Grim, clearly had no plans for McConnell in his setup.
And now it looks like another loanee could make a premature return. Neil Moxley for GIVEMESPORT has reported that Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas is also expected to return to Anfield after Birmingham City completed the signing of Gambian winger Abdoulie Manneh from Swedish club Mjällby AIF.
The 21-year-old Manneh’s arrival in the Midlands has sparked widespread belief that Koumas’s loan spell will be cut short, with the Wales international struggling to make an impact at St Andrew’s this season. Despite joining Birmingham on a season-long loan in August following an impressive 49-appearance stint at Stoke City, Koumas has been restricted to just five starts in 22 Championship appearances, scoring only one goal.
Birmingham manager Chris Davies had previously admitted that a decision would need to be made in both Koumas’s and Liverpool’s interests when the January window opened. “We brought Lewis here to aid Birmingham City in winning matches, as that is our primary goal. However, we also recognized that he is a Liverpool player, and they want to see him progress and evolve,” Davies stated.
The lack of game time has been frustrating for the 20-year-old, who scored on his Liverpool debut against Southampton in February 2024 and enjoyed a productive loan at Stoke last season with six goals.
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