Latest news with #LucaStephenson
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Liverpool friendlies an 'eye-opener' for Stephenson
Luca Stephenson thinks his pre-season experience with Liverpool has improved him as a player as he begins a second loan period with Dundee 21-year-old signed a new contract at Anfield after featuring four times in summer friendlies."It's sometimes a bit of an eye-opener when you play with players of that quality," he said."I thought I had a really good season up here last year, and then you go back there and you see there's other levels to the game."I'm just hoping what I learnt over the six weeks while I was with them in pre-season, can I bring that here, can I show people what I've learnt off them? And I know I'm only young, but can I help other people?"On his conversations with Reds manager Arne Slot, Stephenson explained: "He watched an awful lot of me last year, whether it was live games on the telly or through clips, and I think he enjoyed how I came on."I think he's seen another improvement from me when I came back into pre-season, so the message from him was quite clear - to go and do the same again, step up another level if it's possible."Stephenson played 33 consecutive league games for United last season before undergoing double hernia surgery."Being on loan, it's not the easiest thing in the world, knowing you're only going to be in places for a short amount of time, a year here, a year there," he added."I wanted to be somewhere I was happy, I was comfortable. I liked the dressing room, I liked the manager and I wanted to be somewhere where I was appreciated."
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Stephenson harboured United return
Midfielder Luca Stephenson, 21, harboured hopes of returning to Dundee United on loan from Liverpool before securing a second loan at Tannadice this week. (Record), externalRead Friday's Scottish gossip
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool Midfielder Signs New Contract
Luca Stephenson Commits Future to Liverpool and Heads Back to Dundee United Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson has signed a new contract with the club and will continue his development with a season-long loan at Dundee United. The 21-year-old, known for his versatility in midfield and defence, enjoyed a breakthrough year in Scotland and will return to Tannadice Park for the 2025-26 campaign. Breakthrough Season in Scotland Stephenson's first spell at Dundee United in 2024-25 proved a turning point. He played 34 matches, scored three goals, and was instrumental in helping the club secure fourth place in the Scottish Premiership, earning them a place in European competition. His performances were recognised with the Young Player of the Season award, cementing his reputation as one of the league's most promising young talents. Arriving at Liverpool from Sunderland at Under-15 level, Stephenson is yet to make his senior competitive debut for the Reds. However, he featured in four pre-season friendlies this summer under Arne Slot, gaining valuable minutes alongside the first-team squad. Slot, who led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first season in charge, is expected to keep a close watch on Stephenson's progress. Previous First-Team Experience The midfielder's first exposure to senior football came in 2023-24 during a loan spell at Barrow in League Two. That experience laid the groundwork for his successful move to Dundee United, where he adapted quickly to the physical and tactical demands of the Scottish top flight. Stephenson first signed professional terms with Liverpool in 2020. His decision to extend his contract reflects both the club's belief in his potential and his own commitment to breaking into the senior squad in the future. Targeting Further Growth at Dundee United Speaking after securing the deal, Stephenson expressed his enthusiasm for another year in Scotland. While the new contract ensures his long-term future is at Liverpool, the focus for now is on building on last season's progress with Dundee United. The club's qualification for European competition adds an extra challenge and opportunity for the young midfielder to test himself at a higher level. With Liverpool's midfield options deep and competitive, a season of regular football in a demanding environment could prove crucial. Stephenson's return to Tannadice offers Dundee United a player already proven in their system, and it gives Liverpool a clearer picture of how he performs under pressure.
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Luca Stephenson reveals exactly why he had come back to Dundee United – 'It was always in the back of my mind'
The versatile midfielder has agreed a season-long loan back from Liverpool after his success at Tannadice last season Luca Stephenson admitted it was always at the 'back of his mind' that he would be returning to Dundee United. The versatile midfielder has agreed a season-long loan back from Liverpool. Stephenson was United's young player of the season and he insisted that returning to Tannadice was always his main priority. The 21-year-old stated: 'I am made up to be back. It has been a fairly long summer but I've had a good pre-season down the road. 'I've always had it in the back of my mind that after it (last season) was finished, that it was time to get back up the road and get playing again. 'It was just how it went for myself and the team. For me, personally and the team it was a brilliant year. I got a lot of experience and I felt I came along like a player.' Stephenson joked his phone was spammed over the summer from people at United ordering him home. He confirmed: 'A lot of players and staff have been in contact throughout the summer, jokingly asking when I would be back rather than if I would be back. Liverpool were sending me out on loan and this was the only place I wanted to come. Stephenson insisted the trust of Jim Goodwin last season and the back of the United faithful were other driving factors in taking him back to Tayside. The Englishman stated: 'The gaffer last year trusted me in any position or game he chucked me in everywhere. That trust from him was a massive thing in me coming back. 'I knew if I could replicate my form of last season and hopefully I can get through all the games here again. That was a massive thing for me coming back. 'I felt really appreciated with the effort I put in, from everyone and the fans. It is rare to find to be so appreciated. It made me come back to get more.' It was Stephenson's first season of regular first-team football and there were plenty of highlights as United booked their place in Europe. The player himself missed the final run after playing through a double hernia. He said: 'My first senior goal at the start of the season, my first league start, the Dundee derby over Christmas, the win over Aberdeen and the little run at the end before I was injured, the three 1-0s. I picked up lots of good moments.' Stephenson needed surgery at the end of the season but recovered and went away with Arne Slot's English champions for pre-season. 'It took six to eight weeks to get over the summer,' the former Sunderland youngster confirmed. 'I got off to a good start in pre-season and plenty of minutes for the first-team. 'I got a trip away with them and got to play a few games in England as well. Stephenson and fellow new boy Julius Eskesen will go into Goodwin's squad for the Premier Sports Cup trip to Kilmarnock on Sunday. Stephenson, speaking to DUTV, insisted: 'I feel fit and raring to go whenever I am called upon. I will play and hit the ground running again and take on last season's form and push into this year. 'Last season's league form was really good and if we can replicate it then brilliant and we can try and do better in the cup competitions.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Versatile' star AGREES new long-term Liverpool contract
Liverpool have agreed a new deal with one 'versatile' star. And then they've immediately sent him elsewhere. Liverpool announced on Thursday that they've agreed a new contract with Luca Stephenson. The 21-year-old signed his last contract back in 2020 and has now 'penned fresh terms'. Stephenson will immediately go out on loan, however. He's rejoining Dundee United, with whom he enjoyed a wonderful campaign last season. Shop the LFC Store LFC x adidas Shop the away range TODAY LFC x adidas Shop the home range today! LFC x adidas Shop the goalkeeper range today LFC x adidas Shop the new adidas range today! "The versatile 21-year-old enjoyed an excellent 2024-25 campaign with the Scottish Premiership club, winning their Young Player of the Season award, and will now gain further experience there in 2025-26," says Stephenson appeared four times across pre-season but wasn't expected to take up a place in Arne Slot's senior squad. Instead, Liverpool have allowed him to continue his development at a club where things went very well for him in 2024/25. Dundee United finished fourth in Scotland, getting them into the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Conference League. They've now got a crunch fixture against Rapid Wien on Thursday evening as they attempt to get past the third qualifying round. The away leg finished 2-2, handing the initiative to United. Liverpool will naturally hope they can get past the Austrians and give Stephenson regular European football this season. Liverpool's contracts Liverpool still have some major contract work to do, of course. Ibrahima Konate is the standout - he's now in the final year of his contract and looks unlikely to renew. Real Madrid are sniffing around (or whatever you'd like to call it), making life difficult for Liverpool. Konate's head may have been turned and that's largely what's brought about the interest in Marc Guehi. But he's not the only one. Andy Robertson's contract also expires in 2026 and Liverpool face a massive decision there. Competition from Milos Kerkez could see Robertson fall from being the no.1 left-back for the first time since 2017. See off that competition, however, and the Scot will fancy a renewal. As would Liverpool, admittedly.
