LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
James McConnell was shifted to an unusual role as a No. 10 in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Tottenham, but the 22-year-old embraced the opportunity to impress.
After Andoni Iraola made clear his decision to keep McConnell as part of his squad for the season, the midfielder has been forced to wait for his chance.
An unused sub in three of the Reds’ first five games and left out entirely for the other two, he made his first appearance of the campaign as a starter in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie.
Having previously settled in a role as No. 6, McConnell was deployed as the most advanced midfielder against Tottenham.
“I like playing there, that’s where I came up when I was younger,” he told LFCTV post-match.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell and Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher (R) during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell and Tottenham Hotspur's Conor Gallagher (R) during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“It’s obviously a bit different, there’s things that I haven’t done for a while because I haven’t played there, but it’s enjoyable.
“The press is really simple in that position, you’ve just got to go. On the ball I like receiving in the pockets and driving.
“There’s obviously a lot more to come, it’s tough when it’s your first game in a long time.
“I think there were positives and we’re into the next round, so it’s good.”
Goalscorer Dominik Szoboszlai told Sky Sports after the game that both McConnell and Lewis Koumas “deserve to play,” while Iraola sees it as a positive issue for him if the wider squad performs as they did against Tottenham.
For McConnell himself, progress to the fourth round – which will be drawn on Wednesday night – only increases his chances of achieving his goal for the season.
“My goal coming into this season was to play games and obviously when you end up staying in a squad like this it’s going to be difficult,” he continued.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool players form a pre-match huddle before the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool players form a pre-match huddle before the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“This competition always offers the chance for a manager to change.
“You’re always in a bit of doubt because we have really strong opposition in the first round, but it’s really good of the manager to show faith in us, me and some of the other lads.
“We did well and hopefully we can get another opportunity.”
“I don’t even know if I’m a youngster anymore!”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Despite being considered an academy talent, having celebrated his 22nd birthday at the weekend McConnell was far from the youngest player in Iraola’s side on Tuesday.
Milos Kerkez is also 22, while Koumas, 20, Rio Ngumoha, 18, Trey Nyoni, 19, and substitute Jeremy Jacquet, 21, are all younger. Watching on from the stands was 23-year-old Florian Wirtz.
“I don’t even know if I’m a youngster anymore, some of these guys are so young!” McConnell remarked.
“We’re all part of the squad and you sort of don’t look at anyone different, but I thought the senior lads today were really, really good.
“Jeremie behind us at right-back I thought was top, Macca in the middle was really, really good. All of them were.
“It’s always easier for younger lads coming in when the senior lads play so well.”
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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