Ian Doyle looks at the impact of James McConnell on earning his first senior start for Liverpool against Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round.
James McConnell has wasted no time as Liverpool’s newbie. So it was no surprise that the teenage midfielder made his breakthrough into the first team this season.
But it was still a shock to see the 19-year-old named as the starting holding midfielder for this afternoon’s FA Cup fourth-round clash against Norwich City.
It is a first senior start for James McConnell, who has now reached senior preparation level this season, as one of a group of young players called up by Jurgen Klopp for a pre-season training camp in Germany.
He has since featured in both friendly matches and the Singapore tour, and has been a regular in the matchday squad this season, appearing as a substitute 14 times.
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James McConnell made his debut as a second-half substitute in the Europa League home tie against Toulouse and came off the bench in the closing stages of the Premier League win over Brentford at Anfield. His third appearance was a 15-minute run-out in Liverpool’s Europa League dead rubber against Union St Gilroy in Belgium before Christmas.
Experienced academy observers have long recognized the ability of the attack-minded James McConnell, as he broke through to the under-18s at the age of 16 and moved from Sunderland to Kirkby at under-15 level.
His calling card was a fine strike in his first U18 Premier League North start, which helped them earn a 2–1 win at Stoke City in February 2021. And in the following 2021/21 season, under the guidance of U18 coach Mark Bridge-Wilkinson, he became a regular player at the level, and his progress was recognized when he made his senior debut in September 2021, just weeks after turning 17. Signed professional contract. ,
It was during that campaign that he first showed his versatility, playing in a variety of positions from attacking to defensive roles in midfield. He even managed to score coming in from the left flank in a 4–0 derby win over Everton U18s.
But James McConnell really began to shine last season, starting the campaign with a brace for the U18 central midfielders and scoring a brace in a 4–2 win over Manchester United.
He played a key role in Liverpool’s UEFA Youth League campaign, putting in an impressive performance in a 2–1 win at Napoli. He started six of the Reds’ eight games as they advanced to the quarter-finals.
James McConnell also featured for the U21s in the EFL Trophy, playing the full 90 minutes in an unfamiliar right-back role in a 1–0 defeat at Rochdale in September. Liverpool’s confidence in the player was further demonstrated when he signed a new long-term contract the following month, after which he featured in the second half of the Premier League 2’s 2–1 mini-derby win over Everton. ,
However, after being out for several months due to injury, he announced his return to the U18s in February, scoring in back-to-back games against Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
“We missed James with injury,” Bridge-Wilkinson said after his impressive performance in James McConnell‘s 4–0 win at Newcastle United in April. “I thought he did really well at Newcastle. Obviously he’s one of the older players in our group and he played with a mature mind. I thought he had a lot of quality and he showed it.”
In fact, the teenager finished the U18 season with a goal and an assist in his return two weeks later, scoring another first goal in Premier League 2 when he came off the bench to score the U21 side’s only goal in the home return. Has been achieved. , The season finale was held at Crystal Palace.
Now James McConnell has taken the next step in his growing career.