It has not been a stellar year for Liverpool’s raft of loan players this season.

Mirroring goings on back at the mothership, the campaign has generally been one of frustration for the Reds on temporary stays away from Anfield.

Harvey Elliott, for example, has been left in limbo after barely featuring for Aston Villa, while Liverpool have already recalled Owen Beck and James Balagizi from spells at Derby County and Forest Green Rovers respectively.

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But amid the disappointment, Luca Stephenson has continued to stand out as the exception to the rule. Stephenson has impressed Arne Slot in both of the Dutchman’s pre-seasons so far and has been one of the players of the season up in Scotland for Dundee United.

Having helped his club to a win over Celtic just before Christmas, the 22-year-old has now claimed that some of Liverpool’s senior players have been watching his performances with interest.

Although there may be a pathway to the first-team open to him, the most recent reports suggest that Liverpool will cash in on Stephenson next...