Liverpool loanees James McConnell and Owen Beck are set to return to Anfield in January after their loan spells were cut short.
Both players had hoped to secure regular first-team football at Ajax and Derby County, but chances have been limited — especially for McConnell.
The midfielder endured a frustrating stint in the Netherlands, featuring just 219 minutes across seven matches in all competitions for Ajax. The Eredivisie side have struggled throughout the 2025/26 season and currently sit 16 points adrift of leaders PSV.
Beck’s loan spell in the Championship has been similarly disrupted. The 23-year-old left-back has been sidelined by injury, with reports indicating he required hamstring surgery after picking up the issue during a brief 40-minute appearance for Blackburn Rovers’ Under-21s.
Meanwhile, another Liverpool left-back, James Norris, could be heading for a permanent move away. According to reports, the 22-year-old is in discussions over a switch to Shelbourne, following a productive loan that has seen him log 734 minutes in 11 matches.
Looking ahead, Beck appears unlikely to factor heavily into Liverpool’s future plans. With Milos Kerkez expected to remain first choice and uncertainty surrounding Andy Robertson’s long-term role amid previous interest from Atletico Madrid, opportunities look limited.
McConnell’s situation is more nuanced. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot publicly praised the midfielder after a standout Champions League performance against PSV last January. However, his progress since then has stalled, with only four senior appearances (237 minutes) during the 2024/25 season before his move to Ajax.
With Liverpool keen to manage Ryan Gravenberch’s workload — despite enforced absences through injury and suspension — there may yet be an opening for McConnell upon his return. Gravenberch has still accumulated the fourth-highest minutes in the squad, highlighting the need for careful rotation in midfield.
