{
  "id": 4359577,
  "title": "Andoni Iraola begs midfielder to stay",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/30/andoni-iraola-begs-midfielder-to-stay",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-30T06:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/andoni-iraola-begs-midfielder-stay-060500249.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Liverpool's manager Andoni Iraola has implored one of his midfielders to remain with the club for the upcoming season instead of being loaned out. The midfielder in question is academy graduate James McConnell, who recently signed a new contract extension after being loaned to Ajax last season. McConnell, who had been sidelined with injury, is now fully recovered and has been given the opportunity to join the first-team squad under Iraola. Despite being only 21 years old, McConnell has impressed the manager in the early stages of his tenure at Liverpool. While McConnell may not be the first-choice at the No.6 position, his inclusion in Iraola's plans suggests that the club sees potential in the young midfielder. The decision to keep McConnell on the books indicates that Liverpool does not intend to rely heavily on expensive signings in the long run, particularly in the midfield.",
  "summary": "Liverpool sold Curtis Jones to Inter Milan. The homegrown midfielder was going to be out of contract in 2027 with Richard Hughes taking the decision to cash in for £30m.That is decent money for a pla...",
  "key_points": [
    "Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola pleads for midfielder James McConnell to stay.",
    "Academy graduate McConnell recently signed new contract extension.",
    "McConnell recovered from injury and joins first-team squad."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}