James William McConnell (born 13 September 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Liverpool.
Club career McConnell joined Liverpool from Sunderland at U15 level. By the 2021–22 season, he had starting playing regularly for the Liverpool U18 side, having first started playing for them at 16 years-of-age. He signed a professional contract with the club shortly after his seventeenth birthday. This was extended in October 2022, as he agreed a long-term professional contract with Liverpool.
He was included in Liverpool's 27-man squad to tour Singapore in July 2023. He was singled out for praise from Jürgen Klopp for his efforts in Singapore, as well as being praised by former players and journalists. He was included in a Liverpool first team match day squad for the first time on 12 August 2023, named as a substitute in the Premier League against Chelsea. He made his senior debut for Liverpool in a 5–1 UEFA Europa League victory over Toulouse at Anfield on 26 October 2023. He made his Premier League debut on 12 November 2023, appearing as a late substitute for Dominik Szoboszlai, in a 3–0 home win over Brentford.
McConnell made his first start for Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round match against Norwich City at Anfield on 28 January 2024, contributing an assist for Curtis Jones' first goal in an eventual 5–2 victory.
He made an appearance from the bench as Liverpool won the 2024 EFL Cup final 1–0 against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on 25 February 2024.
He was included in the Liverpool starting XI for the UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven on 29 January 2025.
On 29 August 2025, he signed a new five year contract with the club and was loaned to Ajax for the season. After seven appearances, McConnell returned to Liverpool in February 2026.
International career On 21 March 2025, McConnell debuted for the England U20s during a 1–1 draw with Portugal.
Style of play Initially an attacking midfielder, McConnell adapted his game to play as a holding midfield player under the tutelage of Jürgen Klopp and Pepijn Lijnders following the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho from Liverpool in the summer of 2023.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLiverpool U212022–23————20202023–24————3030Total ————5050Liverpool2023–24Premier League30201030—902024–25Premier League00201010—402025–26Premier League0000—0000002026–27Premier League 00001000—10Total3040304000140Ajax (loan)2025–26Eredivisie4000—30—70Career total7040307050260
Honours Liverpool EFL Cup: 2023–24; runner-up: 2024–25
References
External links Profile at the Liverpool F.C. website