McConnell, who joined Liverpool from Sunderland back in 2019, made his professional debut for the Reds in 2023, when Jurgen Klopp subbed the midfielder in against Toulouse in the UEFA Champions League.
The 20-year-old has since gone on to play 13 matches for Liverpool, for whom he's worn the captain's armband in the U21s.
The contract of the youngster was set to expire next summer, but Liverpool have extended his contract with five years, The Athletic's David Ornstein reported on Tuesday. Liverpool view the controlling midfielder as a "future first team squad player," Ornstein continued.
Loan move to Ajax looms
Along with signing a contract extension, McConnell will be loaned out to Eredivisie side Ajax, where he'll be reunited with former Liverpool assistant John Heitinga.
Ajax reportedly beat West Bromwich Albion, Hull City, Oxford United, Sturm Graz, and several other European clubs to McConnell's signature. Swift negotiations, Champions League football, and Heitinga's first-hand knowledge of Arne Slot's game gave the Amsterdam side the upper hand.
The Amsterdam giants have been looking for a new controlling midfielder since the departure of captain Jordan Henderson, who left the club on a free in June before returning to the Premier League, where the English international joined Brentford.
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