Liverpool summer flop faces quick return after causing CHAOS

Robin Bairner

19 Nov 2025 13:24 GMT
4 min read

Liverpool face the prospect of an additional transfer headache in January as one of their summer deals has resulted in “chaos”.

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Arne Slot’s side sent two players to Eredivisie giants Ajax during the previous transfer period, with Vitezslav Jaros and James McConnell both heading to the Netherlands.

The pair haven’t featured heavily in the plans of the Amsterdam club, with the situation of the duo discussed in Algemeen Dagblad 's AD Voetbal podcast. Johan Inan, the Ajax correspondent, believes that at least one of the pair could be heading back to Anfield.

Current ETV

James McConnell

DM, M (C)

Ajax

James McConnell

DM, M (C)

Ajax

ETV Range

€1.6M - €2.4M

Both were brought to the Netherlands by John Heitinga, who has since been fired as Ajax manager. He was an assistant manager at Liverpool during the 2024/25 campaign and ensured there was smooth communication between the club. This led to Jaros and McConnell moving to Amsterdam.

The former started the season as the first-choice goalkeeper but has since lost that position.

The situation for McConnell was less rosy from the outset. The midfielder had to fill the void left by Jordan Henderson's departure. His arrival drew considerable criticism. Ajax were ideally looking for an experienced midfielder, but ultimately settled on the 21-year-old. He has not been able to impose himself at his new club.

© IMAGO - Liverpool pair McConnell and Vitezslav Jaros have struggled at Ajax

Quick return to Liverpool

McConnell’s signing has not gone down well with fellow Ajax expert Johan Inan, who was also speaking to the podcast.

“It was crazy,” he said on the deal. “Ajax knew Jordan Henderson was leaving back in January or February. That gives you six months to find a successor. That didn't happen. The kid is in his early twenties. And yet everyone was advocating for an experienced No.6.”

“I'll have to see if he finishes the season at Ajax. They're already looking for a new No.6.”

Inan says Ajax have a limited budget to replace McConnell.

“Maybe €2-3 million. But I think it's highly likely that the new N0.6 and the left-back they're looking for will arrive on loan,” he said.

Now McConnell is being tipped with a quick return to Liverpool, with FootballTransfers Netherlands describing the transfer as having caused “chaos”.

Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo has been tipped as a potential target for Ajax.

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