No way BACK for on-loan Liverpool midfielder

Liverpool have been struggling at right-back this season - and could do with improving their midfield offering too.

Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong were expected to duke it out for the starting role following the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. But it’s not worked out like that.

Frimpong is preferred further forward while Bradley’s season is at an end following a bad knee injury.

In midfield the club could do with a reliable figure to alleviate the burden on the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister as Arne Slot is reluctant to turn to the academy.

Luca Stephenson impressing on loan

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The 22-year-old has been on loan at Dundee United for the last season and half - and was linked with a surprise return to Anfield this January.

The versatile performer was named the Tangerines’ player of the season last term - before coming back to take his place on Liverpool’s pre-season tour.

He did enough to earn a new contract before heading back to Tannadice for the 2025/26 season.

Stephenson not eligible for comeback

Due to Liverpool’s profound needs in both his positions Stephenson was named as a player whose loan could be cut short at the midpoint of the season.

But the Courier has now dispelled those claims - stating that Stephenson has reached a minimum-game threshold where a return is now impossible.

“The Anfield giants’ agreement with United only allows them to terminate the loan if Stephenson fails to make a certain number of senior appearances for United,” the report reads.

“And the player, who has turned out 21 times for the Tangerines this term, has now passed that figure, meaning he is guaranteed to remain at Tannadice for the rest of the campaign.”

© IMAGO - Luca Stephenson Dundee United Liverpool