Rams on Red alert as several interested in McConnell loan

DERBY County could rival Ipswich Town and West Bromwich Albion for Liverpool’s James McConnell, according to reports.

- By JORDAN BLACKWELL

The 20-year-old midfielder is on course to sign a new long-term contract at Anfield but is then set to be loaned out, the Daily Mail reports.

Derby, two of their Championship rivals and some German clubs are among those reported to be keen on signing McConnell on loan.

McConnell has spent the past two years on the fringes of the Liverpool first team, having first made his name in the senior team on a preseason tour to Asia two summers ago.

While he came up through the ranks as an attacking midfielder, former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp began to play him in deeper roles, in front of the defence.

He has the skill-set to play in a number of roles in the centre of the park, with his combative streak, his willingness to receive the ball in tight areas and his ability to burst through the lines all highlighted.

McConnell has played 13 senior matches for Liverpool, coming off the bench when they beat Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final in 2024, while starting a Champions League match against PSV last season.

After that game, Liverpool boss Arne Slot said: “He (McConnell) impressed me a lot today.

“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.