Who is James McConnell? 19-year-old Liverpool midfielder handed shock FA Cup start against Norwich City

James McConnell hasn't been one to waste time during his fledgling Liverpool career. So there should have been no surprise at the teenage midfielder making his first-team breakthrough this season.

But there was nevertheless something of a shock to discover the 19-year-old being named as the starting holding midfielder for the FA Cup fourth round clash against Norwich City this afternoon.

It is a first senior start for McConnell, who has made the step up to the senior set-up this season having been among the group of youngsters currently given the call from Jurgen Klopp for the pre-season training camp in Germany.

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He subsequently featured in both friendly matches and during the tour to Singapore, and has been a regular in matchday squads this seasons having been on among the substitutes 14 times.

McConnell made his debut as a late substitute in the Europa League home win over Toulouse and also came off the bench for the closing stages in the Premier League victory over Brentford at Anfield. His third appearance was a 15-minute run-out at the end of Liverpool's Europa League dead rubber against Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium before Christmas.

Seasoned Academy observers have long acknowledged the potential of the all-action, attack-minded McConnell ever since he broke into the under-18s side as a 16-year-old having arrived at Kirkby at U15 level from Sunderland.

His calling card was a fine strike on his first U18 Premier League North start that helped earn a 2-1 win at Stoke City in February 2021. And the following 2021/21 season