Liverpool are impressed: 22-year-old midfielder now begging Arne Slot for a chance | OneFootball

Liverpool can take great pride in the development of Luca Stephenson out on loan this season.

The 22-year-old midfielder-cum-defender has impressed once again at Dundee United in Scotland’s top flight. He spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Tannadice - before returning to the AXA Training Centre last summer with his future undecided.

Stephenson - who plays right-back, wing-back or central midfield - caught Arne Slot’s eye in preseason and was included for the club’s tour to Asia.

Liverpool even saw fit to offer the former Sunderland youth a new contract before sending him back on loan to Dundee United.

He’s arguably been the Tangerines’ best player once again - even captaining the side in the Scottish Premiership which is a tremendous achievement for a loan player.

Luca Stephenson has improved once again

“It's benefitted me massively,” he tells Dundee United’s official website about his second season on loan.

“I always wanted to come back and get more games under my belt to try and keep improving to a good level.

“I feel like I've grown into my character too. I try and lead the team as much as I can and I think I've got better across all aspects.

“The data shows me that. The obvious ones are the goals and assists but all the stats that I get to see behind the scenes and ask for have improved compared to last year.”

Liverpool in touch with Stephenson

It’s been a mixed bag for Liverpool’s loan stars this season with the likes of Harvey Elliott and James McConnell enduring tough spells. But Stephenson is the best-in-class with the midfielder admitting that the club are delighted with his progress.

“We have a Loans Manager at Liverpool called Gary Probert and I indirectly speak to the Manager via him,” he says.

“He passes messages on, comes to watch games and gives me debriefs after games. They've all been sending the plaudits down of how well they've been doing from afar which is really positive to know.

“They're watching and they're impressed and it gives me a bit of inner belief as well.”

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Stephenson makes his case for a chance

At the end of the season Stephenson will go back to base with his future once again uncertain. One thing is for sure and it’s that Arne Slot could have done with a player like him around the first-team picture this season.

The Premier League champions have required cover for Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong and it’s not a stretch to think Stephenson would have got minutes in midfield too.

But he’s got a chance once again to show what he can do in preseason at a time when a lot of senior players will be recovering from their FIFA World Cup exertions.

“It's difficult as a footballer,” Stephenson says of his future prospects.

“One minute you're getting told one thing, the next you're getting told something else. You never know when you get back from training that your agent's going to have sent you a text that something else has popped up.

“There's always speculation going into this time of the season but I'm concentrating on the last seven games at Dundee United. I’ll give my everything to get points for this club and then I'll think about my future when that comes around on the 18th of May.”