James McConnell could follow Stefan Bajcetic pathway after benched again

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James McConnell was left as an unused substitute in the first match after John Heitinga’s sacking, with Liverpool left with a decision to make on the midfielder’s future. Heitinga left Liverpool in the summer to take the top job at Ajax but was sacked last week after four successive defeats in the Champions League and only three wins in the Eredivisie.

Fred Grim took charge as interim coach for Ajax over the weekend against FC Utrecht, with both Liverpool loanees, Vitezslav Jaros and McConnell, left to watch the full match from the bench. It is the second league game in a row that McConnell has been left unused, having started only twice this season, while Jaros has been usurped in the last five games after starting 11 in succession.

1 and conceded two goals in a 2-1 defeat on Sunday at Utrecht. • READ: Liverpool have LOST 40% of their matches since Champions League exit While Jaros has had a more positive experience in the Netherlands, McConnell’s signing was previously described as a “surprise to the scouting team,” seen as coming at the expense of homegrown youngster Jorthy Mokio. Arne Slot is a fan of McConnell’s and few at Liverpool will have interest in seeing his development stutter at Ajax, and another could be considered if game time cannot be promised with the first team.