Liverpool’s Luca Stephenson has suffered a season-ending hamstring injury, but “surgery won’t be required” at loan club Dundee United.
Stephenson has missed Dundee United’s last two games, against Livingston and Dundee, with a “serious” hamstring that will keep him out for the season’s remaining four matches.
Manager Jim Goodwin has said that neither Stephenson nor his teammate Amar Fatah, who is on loan from City Football Group-owned Troyes and also injured, will require surgery.
“It’s part and parcel of the game but, of course, we are disappointed for Amar and Luca,” the Dundee United boss told the Courier.
“They have been incredibly important players for us over the course of the season and it’s not how we wanted either of their campaigns to end, but that’s where we are.
“They are both relatively serious injuries, but while I wouldn’t like to put an exact timeframe on their recovery, surgery won’t be required.”
Despite the injury effectively ending Stephenson’s loan spell at Dundee United, where he returned for an extra year after winning their 2024/25 Young Player of the Season award, he will remain in Scotland for the early stages of his recovery.
“We have a great relationship with the team down at Liverpool and the City Group,” Goodwin continued.
“We told them we were happy for the guys to carry out the first part of their rehab here. We have a great medical team, so they are going to do that before heading back.
“It’s a shame they won’t be able to say goodbye on the pitch after a few more matches, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be able to do something for the guys to be able to show their appreciation to the supporters.”
What is next for Luca Stephenson?
Hopefully, Stephenson will be back for pre-season and able to train with the first team squad at Liverpool, as he did last summer when he played 196 minutes across four friendly appearances.
He has spent the last two years in the Scottish Premiership, attracting attention from Rangers, Celtic and clubs further afield.
With two loan spells under his belt at Dundee United, Goodwin was asked about the possibility of Stephenson returning again.
“Honestly, my feeling is that Luca wants to be somewhere permanently,” the coach explained.
“He has been on loan for a few successive seasons – his time at Dundee United is the longest he’s stayed anywhere for a considerable period – and I’d expect him to want that stability and chance to kick on.
“Luca is under contract at Liverpool and, given how well he’s done here, I think that would be a considerable transfer fee.”
At 22 years old, it is now time for Stephenson to break into the Liverpool squad or find a home elsewhere. Dundee United may well want him back at Tannadice, but as Goodwin suggested, he could be out of reach.
Their record signing came back in 1995, when Steven Pressley arrived from Coventry for £750,000. These days, Liverpool would surely want a six-figure fee.