Two Liverpool players are currently facing increasingly uncertain futures, as significant off-field changes at Ajax have put their immediate career paths in jeopardy.
John Heitinga, 42, was appointed as Ajax’s new head coach last summer after a successful stint alongside Arne Slot at Liverpool. The former Netherlands defender struck out on his own with his boyhood club, but their union ended unhappily after just 15 matches. Ajax’s Champions League campaign under Heitinga was a disappointment, and the team managed just five wins during his tenure. As a result, Heitinga was sacked after a brief, turbulent spell.
Heitinga’s departure has brought chaos for Liverpool loanees James McConnell and Vitezslav Jaros, as he was the driving force behind their loan moves in the first place.
McConnell, a hugely promising 21-year-old midfielder, was specifically requested by Heitinga. However, the youngster has struggled to make an impact at Ajax, featuring only four times in the Eredivisie, with his single start ending at halftime.
Jaros, meanwhile, started the season as Ajax’s number one goalkeeper, but has recently lost his place to 42-year-old veteran Remko Pasveer. To make matters worse, sporting director Alex Kroes—who agreed the signings of McConnell and Jaros from Liverpool—is now expected to be replaced. Names such as Maxwell, Jordi Cruyff, and Marc Overmars have all been linked with the position, and a new executive will soon be tasked with searching for a permanent head coach.
For McConnell and Jaros, this means that the leadership group which approved their season-long loans will soon be gone. Both now find themselves out of favour and are seen as signings from the previous regime.
There is growing speculation that Liverpool could recall both players in January and seek alternative loan destinations, as their current prospects at Ajax appear bleak. The most critical factor is securing game time—something neither the midfielder nor the goalkeeper is being promised at present.
Arne Slot and Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes cannot be pleased with the ongoing crisis at Ajax, given its impact on two of the club’s promising young prospects. Hopefully, some stability will be restored in the coming weeks, allowing McConnell and Jaros to fight their way back into the first-team picture. If not, the Reds will surely consider recalling them to ensure their development continues elsewhere.
https://sports.yahoo.com/article/two-liverpool-stars-now-fighting-201000736.html
