Liverpool midfielder Luca Stephenson has moved to quash any speculation about a potential mid-season return from loan, insisting he is fully committed to spending the remainder of the campaign with Dundee United.
The Reds, meanwhile, are grappling with a depleted right-back department, but Stephenson is clear where his priorities lie.
Stephenson, 22, is midway through his second season-long loan at Tannadice and has been a consistent presence in Jim Goodwin’s side, starting all ten Scottish Premiership games since returning in August.
On Sunday, he scored a brilliant, guided header from a corner to secure a 1-1 draw against league leaders Hearts his third goal of the season.
His all-action performance at Tynecastle showcased both his attacking threat and defensive composure, particularly against Hearts’ talisman Alexandros Kyziridis, who Stephenson largely kept quiet during open play.
Liverpool’s loan management staff were reportedly in attendance to watch the display, one of several sporadic trips to Scotland to keep tabs on the young midfielder turned wing-back.
Stephenson’s versatility has been a point of interest for the Reds, with many of their season-long loans carrying a January recall option a clause that could theoretically be activated given Jeremie Frimpong’s ongoing injury issues.
Yet Stephenson is unequivocal about his intentions. “I want to stick around for the full season here,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter how well I’m doing or how well I did last season, when I join a club, I commit to a full season. I almost try and forget about being a Liverpool player a little bit. I’m a Dundee United player and that’s my only concern.”
The defender has been thriving in a right-back or wing-back role, despite having come through Liverpool’s academy as a central midfielder. His time with the senior squad on Merseyside has imbued him with confidence and resilience against top-level opposition.
“Where I’ve come from in the past couple of years playing and training at Liverpool I don’t really fear playing against anybody,” he said.
“When I’m training with the best in the world every day, it’s natural to gain confidence. If I can get through an 11 vs 11 against Luis Díaz, I can get through an 11 vs 11 playing against anybody in this league.”
Stephenson believes the mentality instilled at Liverpool is just as important as the technical development.
“People like to speak about the negatives of bringing in lads from the big academies, but I also think it does bring that inner belief. If you can control that, and make sure it’s not an arrogance, it can be a big positive.
I think I’ve shown that against (Djeidi) Gassama at Rangers and Kyziridis on Sunday. I really relish these games. He (Kyziridis) has done brilliantly this season but I feel like I came out on top.”
The player’s pre-season involvement with Liverpool’s first team also helped prepare him for high-level challenges.
“The three I played against in the summer and throughout pre-season would have been Díaz, (Florian) Wirtz and (Cody) Gakpo — which is a decent range of players!” he said. “It gives you that inner belief that no matter the opposition, you can cope.”
Liverpool’s right-back situation has been stretched this season. Conor Bradley has been deputising, Dominik Szoboszlai has been deployed in the role, and Calvin Ramsay featured in the Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace. Despite this, Stephenson’s focus remains on Dundee United, where he is developing into a key figure.
For a player with experience in Liverpool’s elite environment and now flourishing in a demanding Scottish Premiership campaign, Stephenson is making a case that he is ready for higher responsibilities.
