Liverpool could recall out-of-favor star in January after brutal firing of familiar face

Liverpool could be in for a busy month when the January transfer window opens, and at least one player looks set to be heading back to Anfield after making a summer move

Arne Slot's former assistant John Heitinga (right) was fired after just a few months in charge of Ajax(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool looks set for a busy January one way or another, with one of the Reds’ players looking set to return to the club in the New Year.

The transfer window opens later this week, and Liverpool may well look to do some business, despite having splashed the cash during the summer. Arne Slot’s side is struggling with injuries at the moment, which could increase the need to dip into the market once again.

With Alexander Isak facing a lengthy spell out injured after breaking his leg, and Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate currently the only fit senior center-backs, the Reds have been linked with transfers over the next month or so.

Whether the club will want to spend more money though remains to be seen, with Slot having already played down the possibility of more signings being brought in.

It does seem though that Liverpool will have at least one player returning to Anfield in January. According to the Daily Mail, midfielder James McConnell looks likely to be recalled from his loan at Ajax.

The 21-year-old joined the Dutch giants during the summer, having been signed by former Liverpool coach John Heitinga, who left Slot’s staff to take the head coach’s role in Amsterdam, having previously had a spell as the club’s interim boss.

James McConnell looks likely to return to Liverpool from his loan at Ajax(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)

Heitinga though didn’t last long, and was fired in November after falling eight points behind Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, while failing to win a single game in his opening four Champions League games.

As a result of Heitinga’s departure, McConnell has found himself falling out of favor, having not featured in any of Ajax’s last 10 games. He could now be set for a recall, with another loan move potentially on the cards.

McConnell is said to have interest coming from the Championship in the shape of West Brom, Derby County, Oxford United and Swansea City - the latter recently appointed former Liverpool coach Vitor Matos as its new boss.

The possibility of Slot utilizing him is also mentioned, with the Reds’ FA Cup tie against Barnsley next month a potential opportunity for McConnell to get some minutes, although that would prevent him from heading out on loan again this season.

McConnell is not the only player who could return to Liverpool next month. Kostas Tsimikas and Lewis Koumas could also return to Merseyside, with both having struggled to make an impact at Roma and Birmingham City respectively.

Harvey Elliott’s future also remains a major talking point, with the England U21 international having been frozen out at Aston Villa, after originally being expected to turn his loan into a permanent move.

The 22-year-old though is in a much more difficult position than his fellow loanees, having already made an appearance for Liverpool this season after coming off the bench at Newcastle back in August. That means he would be unable to head to another team on loan next month, leaving Villa or Liverpool as his only options.