Forgotten Liverpool star makes injury return after surgery and nightmare loan

Liverpool midfielder James McConnell underwent surgery earlier this month following his return from a loan spell at Ajax, and he is now closing in on a return to action

Liverpool midfielder James McConnell is hoping to return from injury shortly(Image: 2025 BSR Agency)

Young Liverpool midfielder James McConnell is closing in on a return to full training after experiencing a tough time with injuries of late.

The 21-year-old was meant to spend this season on loan at Ajax, but he made just seven appearances for the club and was recalled by the Reds earlier this month. Only two of those appearances for Ajax came as a starter, and his last appearance for the Eredivisie club came at the beginning of November.

McConnell arrived back at Liverpool with an injury that required minor surgery, and he has yet to return to full training. But he is making progress with his recovery, and it is understood that he took part in a non-contact session with his academy teammates on Thursday.

McConnell joined Ajax shortly after John Heitinga had been appointed the Amsterdam club's new manager last summer.

But Heitinga – who was Arne Slot's assistant and worked with McConnell last season – was fired just a few months into the season.

McConnell did not make an appearance for Ajax following Heitinga's dismissal, but he remains a player for whom Liverpool has high hopes.

John Heitinga coached McConnell at Ajax(Image: Alex Bierens de Haan - UEFA via Getty Images)

The youngster signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool before completing his move to Ajax, which signaled Liverpool's belief in his ability.

McConnell was handed his first start for Liverpool by former boss Jurgen Klopp in an FA Cup game in January 2024, and the German also spoke highly of the player after a match in pre-season in 2023.

“James in the six is just a joy to watch," Klopp said after a thumping victory over Leicester.

“The boy never played in that position before. We put him there, and he throws his heart on the pitch.”'

McConnell has started a total of four games for Liverpool in all competitions and also made nine substitute appearances.

After one of those starts, in a Champions League dead rubber away to PSV Eindhoven last season, which Liverpool lost 3-2, Reds boss Slot spoke highly of McConnell.

He suggested a bright future for the player lay ahead at Anfield.

"James McConnell... He was also a player that hasn’t played in the last six or seven months 90 minutes because he was injured for a while, and he impressed me a lot today," Slot said after that game.