21-year-old midfielder set for QUICK reunion with ex-Liverpool coach | OneFootball

Liverpool made big changes to their midfield setup last summer - with several young and fringe players leaving.

The club’s sporting director Richard Hughes banked £10m for Tyler Morton from Lyon while Harvey Elliott was loaned out to Aston Villa with a view to a permanent move.

Another midfielder who departed Anfield was James McConnell. The 21-year-old - along with Vitezslav Jaros - followed John Heitinga to Ajax where the former Liverpool assistant coach was appointed head coach.

Ajax set to send McConnell back

But things quickly turned sour for Heitinga - who was sacked after 15 uninspiring games in charge. That created doubt and uncertainty for both Liverpool loanees - although Jaros has managed to get back into the first-team picture.

But McConnell has been frozen out - stuck on four Eredivisie appearances since October and this deal looks destined to end in failure.

🚨2025/26 LFC x adidas range🚨

LFC x adidas

Shop the goalkeeper range today

LFC x adidas Third Kit

Shop the third kit range today!

Lewis Steele claims that Ajax and Liverpool are ready to cut the loan spell short with McConnell set to RETURN to the club in January.

Vitor Matos chasing James McConnell reunion

Plans will be made to fix him up with another loan - and Steele has named the four Championship clubs poised to make a move.

One option includes a link-up with a former Liverpool coach Vitor Matos - who was recently appointed head coach at Swansea.

“James McConnell is likely to be recalled from a loan at Ajax after falling out of favour following John Heitinga’s sacking at the Amsterdam giants,” the report reads.

“He has suitors in the Championship at West Brom, Derby County, Oxford United and Swansea City, who recently appointed former Reds coach Vitor Matos.”

A reunion could therefore be on the cards for Matos and McConnell - who desperately needs game time.

Hopes are high at Anfield that the former Sunderland prospect can make the breakthrough one day but he is in danger of seeing a season of his career obliterated due to a mistimed loan to Ajax.

Let’s hope he gets back on track soon.