Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Image Credits: Getty Images

Arne Slot has reportedly told one of Liverpool’s young players that he could be on par with Wataru Endo in the first team.

The Reds have been busy in the market this summer, having signed three players so far.

Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, both from Bayer Leverkusen, are expected to slot right into the first team and possibly command a place in the first XI.

However, Liverpool’s second summer signing, Armin Pecsi, is one for the future.

The highly-rated Hungarian is expected to train with the first team next season.

However, Liverpool sees him as a player who will become a first-team regular in the future.

So in the interim, he is expected to serve as the club’s third-choice goalkeeper after the exits of Caoimhin Kelleher and Vít?zslav Jaros.

Apart from those already signed, Liverpool remains in the hunt for more additions in this window.

However, besides the imminent arrival of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, it appears the Reds will pause their transfer business until they sell a few players.

Darwin Nunez and Federico Chiesa appear to be set for moves away from Liverpool, while there are also whispers that Luis Diaz, Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota will leave if the right offer come in for them.

One player who was initially thought to be heading for a summer exit is Watauru Endo.

The Japanese captain played a more subdued role in his second season at the club.

There were reports that he would seek a move away from Liverpool with Bundesliga side Stuttgart and several Premier League sides registering their interest in him.

However, reports of a possible exit for Endo have cooled and it is increasingly looking like he will play a third season at Anfield.

But amid his battle for a spot in the base of Liverpool’s midfield with Ryan Gravenberch, and occasionally Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones, Endo has another opponent for a first-team slot in the form of the club’s academy graduate James McConnell.

Accoridng to a report by The Daily Mail’s Lewis Steel, Arne Slot has informed McConnell that he is on par with Endo, in terms of team selection.

Several clubs were interested in taking the 2004-born midfielder on loan last season, but Slot reportedly blocked a loan move, as he wanted the 20-year-old at Liverpool.

According to the latest report, the Dutchman has spoken with McConnell and has assured him that he is part of his plans next season.

“From what I have heard, Arne Slot is a huge fan of McConnell,” Lewis Steel wrote when asked about McConnell and Liverpool’s plans for him.

“He has told him as much, and in a meeting in early 2025, McConnell was told he could be on par with Wataru Endo in terms of squad role in the next year.”

McConnell played four times for Liverpool last season, including starting one of the club’s UEFA Champions League games?

Slot’s decision to keep him while other youngsters headed out for loan in Janaury is testament to how much he rates him.

With the club unlilkey to sign another midfielder, it seems Slot will give McConnell more game time in the cup games.

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone