Liverpool academy star Arne Slot likes 'a lot' finally trains with first-team before Crystal Palace
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Arne Slot has given a couple of Liverpool youngsters a chance in the senior side this season, and one more could work his way into the Dutchman’s plans before 2025/26 is over.Rio Ngumoha is the standout example of youth helping out the Reds during a difficult campaign, with the winger now a regular feature in most matchday squads.Trey Nyoni has been given fewer minutes, but is still playing regularly, while another midfielder, James McConnell, has been training with the first team ahead of this Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. Who should Slot start up front against Crystal Palace? 🤔 Credit: James Gill/Danehouse/Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto/Getty Images Arne Slot is a big fan of James McConnellSpeaking back in January 2025, Slot played down a loan move for McConnell, saying he liked what he saw from the now 21-year-old ‘a lot’.He said: “At the moment we have most of our players fit, so we will have this discussion tomorrow, me and Richard [Hughes], about these players [who will go out on loan].“But there’s 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 the end result would be good to go somewhere and play but he’s also a player that hasn’t played much 90 minutes in the last six or seven months because he was injured for a while.
He impressed me a lot today.”McConnell was eventually loaned out during the 2026 summer transfer window, spending the first half of this season with Ajax.However, he only made seven appearances for the Dutch outfit before suffering a long-term injury.The Englishman was recalled to Liverpool as a result and has not been part of the Reds’ senior set-up since.However, it was reported that McConnell has now been in training with Liverpool this week.Midfield has been called a ‘big problem’ for the Reds this term by Wayne Rooney, while Curtis Jones’ future has been questioned ahead of his contract nearing its final 12 months.It will be interesting to see if the Merseyside outfit look to strengthen in the transfer market over the coming months or they decide to look to players like McConnell and Nyoni to provide the depth come 2026/27.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox