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Tag: James McConnell

  • Arne Slot Excludes Loan Transfer for Liverpool Midfielder James McConnell in January Window

    Arne Slot Excludes Loan Transfer for Liverpool Midfielder James McConnell in January Window

    James McConnell

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot has dismissed the possibility of James McConnell leaving on loan during the January transfer window. McConnell made his first start in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.

    The 20-year-old midfielder was one of the standout players for the Reds, despite their 3-2 loss to the Eredivisie champions. He played the full 90 minutes for the Premier League leaders, who had already secured automatic qualification for the last 16.

    McConnell had a breakthrough season with Liverpool’s senior squad last year, making nine appearances under Jurgen Klopp and being part of the team that defeated Chelsea 1-0 to win the Carabao Cup.

    Although McConnell was expected to go on loan last summer, he missed most of the first half of Slot’s first season due to injury. He returned last month and has since made three appearances.

    Slot revealed that he would meet with sporting director Richard Hughes on Thursday to discuss which players might be loaned out before the window closes, including Jayden Danns, Tyler Morton, and Trey Nyoni.

    However, the Dutch manager confirmed that McConnell is still part of his plans for the remainder of the season.

    Slot stated: “There’s always a chance in life. At the moment we have most of our players fit, so we will have this discussion tomorrow, me and Richard [Hughes], about these players.”

    He continued, “There is definitely one of them that will not go on loan – and I think you know which one I mean. James McConnell. I wouldn’t say definitely, but I liked him a lot today, so maybe now the end result today would be it’d be good for him to go somewhere and play.”

    “He was also a player that hasn’t played in the last six or seven months 90 minutes because he was injured for a while. He impressed me a lot today.”

    Slot further added: “If I would have been surprised it would mean during training sessions he is not able to play at this level and that’s not the truth, because he is competitive to the ones we have that were not even here.”

    “He is always a very competitive player, so I am not surprised but you always wonder how are you going to react on this stage and at this level.”

    “We saw the same with Amara Nallo, which is not a player that has the same impact in training sessions yet as James McConnell.”

    “That James plays and is competitive is not a surprise but he definitely deserves credit for his performance today.”

  • At least five clubs are interested in the Liverpool midfielder who was left out of the club friendlies

    At least five clubs are interested in the Liverpool midfielder who was left out of the club friendlies

    James McConnell

    James McConnell, a young player for Liverpool, did not participate in the team’s final preseason matches against Sevilla and Las Palmas.

    He is expected to leave this month. Despite flying for their US tour, McConnell spent the preseason with the first team but was unable to play because of a minor ailment.

    The 19-year-old, meanwhile, was still absent from Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Sevilla and 0-0 draw with Las Palmas at Anfield despite his recovery and return to training.

    This month, at least five clubs have expressed interest in signing him on a loan; however, considering the circumstances surrounding his peers, a permanent deal is also conceivable.

    Ben Doak and Bobby Clark are both free agents; nevertheless, it appears that the club would prefer a short-term deal unless a sizable offer is made.

    Hull, Blackburn, Derby, Huddersfield, and Birmingham are reportedly considering McConnell; however, it is unclear if any of those teams have changed their minds two months after the first reports of their interest.

    The fact that Liverpool is looking for a new No. 6 before the August 30 transfer deadline suggests how Arne Slot feels about McConnell.

    Though there are currently concerns about the fates of Wataru Endo, Tyler Morton, and Stefan Bajcetic, Slot seems to choose Ryan Gravenberch above the other two candidates for the position.

    All indications are that McConnell will be leaving Anfield in the summer after going without a game during the preseason and being left out of those last warm-up matches.

    A midfielder who turns 20 next month is expected to have developments in the near future, as Liverpool is expected to conclude several agreements now that their preparations are almost finished.

    In addition to Clark and Doak, other players that will be leaving include Kaide Gordon, Owen Beck, Sepp van den Berg, Nat Phillips, and Rhys Williams.

    While Calvin Ramsay, Luke Chambers, and Lewis Koumas have already joined Stoke on loan, Fabian Mrozek has signed a season-long contract with Swedish team IF Brommapojkarna.

    Additionally, Liverpool and Brentford have reached an agreement worth up to £27.5 million, which will send Fabio Carvalho to west London this week.

    As of right now, the Reds have no other known targets outside of Zubimendi.

    More news……

    Talks are in progress as Liverpool renegotiate for Anthony Gordon; Newcastle makes their transfer stance known

    Talks are in progress as Liverpool renegotiate for Anthony Gordon; Newcastle makes their transfer stance known

    It makes sense that Newcastle United would struggle to decide what would happen to elite attacking potential Anthony Gordon.

    The Reds have started renegotiating with the club for the England international, according to sources with knowledge of the evolving scenario between Liverpool and the Magpies, which CaughtOffside has been informed of.

    But it’s believed that Eddie Howe’s team has reiterated that the former Everton player isn’t up for grabs this summer.

    “We didn’t want to lose anybody, and Anthony Gordon is a crucial player for us,” the manager has previously acknowledged, according to Fabrizio Romano. “Is it really our goal to lose our best players? We battled tirelessly to arrive at the best choices. Over the past few weeks, it has been really challenging. But Gordon will understand.

    How does Newcastle United intend to react?

    Based on what CaughtOffside understands, Gordon has had a successful season, and Newcastle is eager to extend his contract.

    The 23-year-old’s contract is scheduled to end in 2026. Last season, he contributed 23 goals in 48 games (all competitions combined).

    Now that a renewal is being discussed, St. James’ Park officials hope to retain the player in Tyne and Wear until the summer of 2029.

    It’s important to note that there are now other teams who could be interested in hiring the left winger, besides Liverpool. Chelsea and Manchester United are both regarded as being eager.

  • Jurgen Klopp’s reasons for leaving Liverpool becomes clearer following academy development

    Jurgen Klopp’s reasons for leaving Liverpool becomes clearer following academy development

    LIVERPOOL 5-2 NORWICH: The Reds cruised past Norwich at Anfield to advance to the FA Cup’s fifth round, where they will take on Watford or Southampton.

    Jurgen Klopp would much rather it if every Liverpool game from now until the end of the season—especially the ones at Anfield—didn’t become all about him, even if he is almost certainly going to fail in this objective.

    During his press conference after Friday’s shocking announcement, the Reds manager made an effort to silence any talk of him leaving the team until the end of the season, but once more, he must have known what lay ahead of him before to the match against Norwich. then after that, while it was happening. and following it after that.

    Although Klopp has taught Liverpool supporters a lot, he won’t get his wish in this particular instance.

    The most he could hope for was that those who had supported him over the years don’t say anything to show their gratitude. And it ought to be fairly attainable if people simply look at what is currently happening in front of them.

    After learning of his leaving, Jurgen Klopp applauded his players' response and vowed to "fight for everything" for the duration of his tenure.

    After all, Liverpool has a tremendous amount of potential throughout its ranks, as evidenced by the victory over Norwich, in which four players who had been through the academy started and another, Trent Alexander-Arnold, came off the substitute.

    Furthermore, one of those academy players set up four of the five goals. James McConnell, on his first start, set up Curtis Jones for the first goal with a fantastic lofted ball, and Darwin Nunez scored the second goal thanks to the lively Conor Bradley, who has been playing well lately.

    After Virgil van Dijk had headed in Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner for the fourth goal, Bradley drove over a cross for Ryan Gravenberch to make it five from close range. Jones had created the third goal with a long ball from the back that put Diogo Jota in position to do what he does best.

    Bradley, a young Northern Irish player, has not made a mistake since being thrown onto the pitch in the final moments of the FA Cup victory over Arsenal. His presence may ultimately lead to Alexander-Arnold getting the midfield starts that many have been longing for.

    Bradley hasn’t quite been Liverpool’s season highlight, though; that distinction belongs to Jarell Quansah, 21, who on Monday showed off his ability to rake in crosses like Van Dijk. Quansah has produced a number of confident displays at the back. While McConnell is still developing a little bit, Jones has grown into a consistent goal threat from midfield and is among the first names on the squad sheet. He is just 22 years old.

    The main reason Klopp is leaving is because he stated he would only quit the club if he was certain the team was in a healthy enough state for the next manager, and with the young players dotted throughout the lineup, there isn’t a better time for whoever takes over.