Liverpool youngster could end 15-month wait for first-team call up
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCJames McConnell underwent surgery upon returning to Liverpool from an unsuccessful loan spell with Ajax, but is now back fit and was called up to first-team training this weekJames McConnell has not played for Liverpool since February 2025(Image: 2026 Liverpool FC)Liverpool youngster James McConnell could be included in a gameday squad before the end of the season, 15 months on from his last appearance for the first team.McConnell has not played for Liverpool since the Reds' shock FA Cup loss to Plymouth in February 2025.The 21-year-old midfielder signed a five-year contract at Anfield last summer before joining Ajax on a season-long loan, but that loan was cut short in February after just seven appearances for the Eredivisie club. Only two of those appearances came as a starter, with injury ultimately putting paid to his chances of enjoying a successful loan spell in Amsterdam.READ MORE: Liverpool transfer blow as ideal summer target 'happy to stay'READ MORE: Liverpool 'preparing to hijack Tottenham transfer move' as succession plans madeMcConnell underwent surgery upon returning to Merseyside, but is now back fit and was called up to first-team training this week.McConnell recently made his return to match action, too, having figured for Liverpool's Under-21s in a Premier League 2 play-off against Crystal Palace last month.A host of first-team players were absent from first-team training on Wednesday, which made room for McConnell to make the step up.Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Alisson were all absent from training, while Ibrahima Konate and Florian Wirtz worked away from the main group.
Longer-term absentees Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni were also not present.McConnell had an unsuccessful loan spell at Ajax(Image: 2025 BSR Agency)McConnell has trained with the first team on several occasions in recent weeks, but it seems at the moment that enough other players need to not train in order for there to be space for McConnell to step up to the main group.McConnell is unlikely to be used in the first team while Champions League qualification is not yet secure, but confirmation of a top-five finish is likely to just be a matter of time for Liverpool, despite last weekend's loss to Manchester United.Bournemouth, Brentford, and Brighton are the only teams that remain mathematically capable of overtaking some of the teams that are currently in the top five.READ MORE: 5 places Mohamed Salah could go next as 'frontrunner' claim for Liverpool legend emergesREAD MORE: Anthony Gordon has already hinted at dream transfer move amid Bayern Munich and Liverpool linksArsenal and Manchester City secured Champions League qualification several weeks ago, while Manchester United joined them with its victory over Liverpool.Liverpool and Aston Villa sit fourth and fifth, respectively, on 58 points, meaning they are both still technically within striking distance of Bournemouth, Brentford, and Brighton.It remains highly unlikely, though, that Liverpool or Villa will miss out on a place in the top five, due to the gap between them and the chasing pack. Bournemouth are on 52 points, Brentford are on 51, and Brighton are on 50.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FC