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Luca Stephenson of Liverpool arriving before the friendly match against Yokohama F Marinos at Nissan Stadium on July 30 2025 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson only had eyes for Dundee United when he was told he could go back out on loan.

Stephenson was an ever-present in the Scottish Premiership for 33 games last season before undergoing double hernia surgery and missing out on the run-in as United sealed fourth place in the table.

The 21-year-old signed a new contract with Liverpool after featuring four times in pre-season friendlies but jumped at the chance to rejoin Dundee United on another season-long loan.

Stephenson, who started in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup defeat at Kilmarnock, said: "Obviously I was away in Asia for a couple of weeks with Liverpool pre-season, so I paid no attention to anything really, and the minute I was told I could get myself back out on loan again, it all happened in a couple of days really.

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"So my thoughts didn't go anywhere else except for Dundee United.

"Being on loan, it's not the easiest thing in the world, knowing you're only going to be in places for a short amount of time, a year here, a year there.

I wanted to be somewhere I was happy, I was comfortable.

"I liked the dressing room, I liked the manager, and I wanted to be somewhere where I was appreciated for another year.

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"I just felt the support was massive last year from everybody at the club, and I thought if it was another loan, then why not have another go at it?"

Stephenson got the backing of Liverpool head coach Arne Slot over his move.

"Obviously I spoke to him over the summer while we were away, and he watched an awful lot of me last year, whether it was live games on the telly or through clips, and I think he enjoyed how I came on," he said.

"I think he's seen another improvement from me when I came back into pre-season, so the message from him was quite clear – to go and do the same again, step up another level if it's possible."

Stephenson also feels a better player for his pre-season experience with the Reds.

"It's sometimes a bit of an eye-opener when you play with players of that quality," he said.

"I thought I had a really good season up here last year, and then you go back there and you see there's other levels to the game.

"I'm just hoping what I learnt over the six weeks while I was with them in pre-season, can I bring that here, can I show people what I've learnt off them?

"And I know I'm only young, but can I help other people?"

Stephenson was delighted with the welcome he received from the Dundee United fans.

"It means loads, not just for me, as well, my mum and dad were in the crowd and it means probably more to them than it does to me to hear that," he said.

"That means everything for me as a player.

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"There's so much going on in the football world, and there's money here and money there, but for me, to get that kind of reception from a set of fans like that means the world to me."