Liverpool midfielder James McConnell is packing his bags for Amsterdam, and no, it’s not for a weekend canal cruise. According to Ornstein, the 20-year-old holding midfielder has agreed to a shiny new five-year contract at Anfield before heading out on loan to Ajax for the 2025/26 season.
The Reds have had a summer busier than a student during finals week: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Giovanni Leoni have all joined Arne Slot’s squad. Now comes the other half of the equation—trimming the roster and sharpening the future.
Ornstein on Why Ajax Fits the Bill
Championship clubs like Hull City and West Brom tried sliding into McConnell’s DMs, but Ajax swooped in with Champions League football and a familiar face in John Heitinga, Slot’s former colleague. That’s like choosing an all-you-can-eat buffet over a food truck—more room to grow.
Ornstein Hints at Liverpool’s Long Game
Liverpool tying McConnell down until 2030 is not just admin busywork. The club clearly sees him as a midfield puzzle piece for the future. Remember, he held his own in a Champions League cameo against PSV Eindhoven. Slot nearly sent him out on loan in January but kept him after a string of solid displays. That’s a ringing endorsement.
My Two Cents
Here’s my take: this is a win-win. Ajax gets a young, technically sound midfielder hungry for game time. Liverpool gets a player polishing his skills in the Champions League spotlight without the pressure cooker of Anfield. Think of it as sending your kid abroad for a year—when they come back, they might just speak fluent “world-class midfielder.”
At the end of the day, Liverpool fans shouldn’t panic. McConnell isn’t being sold; he’s being seasoned. And when he returns, he’ll hopefully be ready to handle the heat in Slot’s ever-evolving midfield kitchen.