James McConnell makes return from long-term injury
It has been a tough few months for James McConnell after the youngster initially showed real promise during Jurgen Klopp’s final season in charge of Liverpool.
Last summer, after being limited to just four appearances under Arne Slot during the 2024/25 season, McConnell moved to Ajax on loan.
John Heitinga had been appointed as head coach at Ajax at the beginning of the season and it was seen as a great place for McConnell to flourish due to Heitinga’s experience working with him during Arne Slot’s debut campaign.
However, McConnell endured a relatively unsuccessful time in the Netherlands, featuring just seven times before suffering an injury in late December.
With John Heitinga sacked by Ajax in November, Liverpool re-called James McConnell in January to help him with his recovery process.
At the beginning of March, Liverpool U21s coach Rob Page provided a positive update on the midfielder’s recovery, saying:
“Macca’s had his first day back on grass yesterday,” the U21s coach said to Liverpoolfc.com following Liverpool’s comfortable victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the AXA Training Centre.
Now, he is returned to the pitch for the first time following that long-term injury as Liverpool U21s played a friendly at PSG on Friday.
According to Jack Lusby, a strong side was fielded but lost 3-1 at Campus PSG, with Calvin Ramsay scoring the only goal for Liverpool.
Now that the young man has returned for Liverpool, he will be looking to reintegrate himself into the first team set up after first making his debut back in 2023.
McConnell came on against Toulouse on 26th October 2023 in Liverpool’s 5-1 win over the Ligue 1 side in the Europa League before making his Premier League debut two weeks later against Brentford.
His finest moment will have been his substitute appearance at Wembley Stadium as Virgil van Dijk scored late to guide Liverpool to a Carabao Cup win in Jurgen Klopp’s final season.
He signed a new five-year contract%20from%20the%20loan.) on 29th August 2025, which shows the promise that the club believes he has and let’s hope he can build on that now that he is finally back to full fitness.
🔴 James McConnell made his return after long-term injury as #LFC U21s played a friendly at PSG on Friday.
Strong side lost 3-1 at Campus PSG with Calvin Ramsay scoring for Liverpool.
McConnell has been out since late December and required surgery.
— Jack Lusby (@LusbyJack) April 11, 2026