Liverpool have made a decision over the future of young utility player Luca Stephenson, who was left out of the squad for Sunday’s Community Shield.
Stephenson did not travel to Wembley for the clash with Crystal Palace at the weekend despite offering cover at both right-back and centre-back during pre-season.
Instead the 21-year-old is nearing a move away from Anfield this summer – though it will not be on a permanent basis as initially expected.
Per The Athletic‘s James Pearce, Stephenson will instead rejoin Dundee United on a season-long loan, after being named their Young Player of the Season for 2024/25.
Before heading back to Tannadice he is set to sign a new long-term contract, having entered the final year of his current deal last month.
That will extend Stephenson’s association with Liverpool and delay any final decision over a role in Arne Slot‘s senior squad going forward.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Luca Stephenson during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Slot is a keen admirer of his versatility and work ethic but it is clear that playing week in, week out would be more valuable than spending the campaign around the first team and featuring sparingly.
Whether Stephenson then makes the step up could depend on the progress he makes in another season in the Scottish Premiership.
There was no shortage of interest in the youngster signed from Sunderland in 2018, with Swansea, Cardiff, Reading and Rotherham also exploring a loan and Aberdeen reported to be considering a permanent bid.
Stephenson settled well at Dundee United last term, however, and Liverpool know he will be almost guaranteed a key role under Jim Goodwin this time out.
2XW7W0T 18th August 2024; Tannadice Park, Dundee, Scotland: Scottish Premier Sports Cup Football, Dundee United versus St Mirren; Luca Stephenson of Dundee United making his debut after signing on loan from Liverpool Credit: Action Plus Sports Images/Alamy Live News
The youngster, whose previous loan experience came with Barrow in League Two, made 34 appearances for Goodwin’s side last season, scoring three goals and assisting two more while playing six different positions.
Speaking to DUTV in April, Stephenson reflected on talks over his future and said: “The year I’ve had here, if I can replicate that again, I don’t see any reason why I wouldn’t want to play my football back up here.”
Turning 22 in September, he would have been eligible as a homegrown player for Liverpool in the Premier League this season and could have been a useful asset, particularly following Tyler Morton‘s £15 million move to Lyon.
He is not likely to be the only player to leave on loan in the coming weeks, with the likes of James McConnell, Jayden Danns and Kaide Gordon also expected to move on.