Confirmed: Liverpool midfielder's season OVER with surgery planned

Liverpool have got several fringe and youth team players out on loan this season. The likes of Ben Doak, Owen Beck and Lewis Koumas have enjoyed varying degrees of success while out on temporary spells in the Championship.

Further afield and Stefan Bajcetic is currently enhancing his reputation on loan at Las Palmas in the Spanish top flight.

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Hopes are high for certain prospects in the Liverpool academy system and the time could soon come for the club to either promote them to the first team or else let them go on a permanent basis.

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One player who falls into the latter category is 21-year-old utility man Luca Stephenson. Signed from Sunderland back in 2018, the midfielder-cum-right-back has been perhaps Liverpool’s best loan prospect this season.

He has played 34 times for Dundee United of the Scottish Premiership, featuring in a variety of positions including centre midfield and in defence.

Stephenson’s latest outing came during the Scottish top-flight clash against St Johnstone on Saturday, won by the Tangerines 1-0. But after the game it was confirmed by Jim Goodwin, the Dundee United manager, that Stephenson’s season was now OVER.

Hernia surgery planned for Stephenson

The midfield dynamo is now due to have surgery on Wednesday of this week, curtailing his loan spell north of the border. Moreover, Goodwin also revealed that Stephenson has been playing with a double hernia for the last four months.

“It’s extremely disappointing to lose Luca at this stage,” Goodwin said post-match on DUTV. “Luca has been playing with a double hernia for about the last four months.

“Liverpool have been brilliant and have allowed Luca to manage it himself. Credit to him for the resilience and determination he has shown in order to play through the pain barrier for the club.

“He’s been one of our standout players and most consistent performers week-to-week. He can play a number of positions and will never let you down.

“I am disappointed to lose Luca but also grateful for what he has given the jersey. He’s a pleasure to work with and Liverpool are very lucky to have him.”

Where does Stephenson's future lie?

It brings Stephenson’s Liverpool future into sharper focus. The player revealed last month that he was ready to consider a move away this summer.

"I don't know as of yet", he said. "But the conversations are certainly starting.

"I can see a massive difference from where I was when I first came. Last year was my first year of men's football at Barrow. I was in and out of the team, trying to find my feet. Whereas here, I just think it's been a consistent season of playing week in, week out. I'm performing and it's been brilliant for me.

"You can only get so much out of a club like Liverpool as a young player sometimes if you're not going to be Conor Bradley or a Jarell Quansah. If you're not going to be one of those players and you're just going to be in the background, maybe getting a start in the League Cup, I don't think that benefits you much in the long run.

"I think doing what I've done over the past two years is a lot more beneficial for a young player."

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And Goodwin also confirmed that he would love to get Stephenson on a permanent basis should the opportunity arise.

Stephenson was Liverpool’s under-18 captain back in the 2020/21 season and also took the armband for the U21s. In 2023/24 he played on loan at League Two’s Barrow.