Arne Slot hasn’t had many transfer decisions to make since taking over as Liverpool manager, but one presented itself in late January, almost by accident.

James McConnell had attracted interest regarding a possible mid-season loan and the Reds were open to the possibility, until the midfielder was drafted in to play in the final Champions League group game against PSV Eindhoven. He was outstanding against the Dutch champions and, despite an understrength Liverpool losing, the youngster’s stock rose.

“I liked him a lot,” was Slot's post-match verdict, before admitting the display was so impressive it could convince him to retain the 20-year-old’s services for the rest of the season. Within days Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes agreed that, while team-mate Jayden Danns would leave on loan, McConnell had an important part to play in the final months of the campaign.

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Providing back-up was the main requirement - that the tenacious midfielder was considered to have sufficient quality should be seen as a compliment in itself. But the plan was also to try and find minutes for McConnell in the FA Cup, coupled with a few Premier League substitute appearances, before his situation will be reevaluated in the summer.

First-team opportunities could occur in the league if Liverpool can wrap up the title early, although the lack of injuries and depth of squad means he has made the bench just once in the 10 league games. As for the FA Cup, that dream went up in smokes thanks to a shock exit at the hands of Plymouth Argyle in Round Four.

It's a setback that has left McConnell in a slightly difficult position. Minutes are hard to come by, a loan move has been scuppered and, for now, his only real option is to drop back down to the Under-21s - the team he predominantly represented last season.

The Northumberland-born academy star has featured in each of the last two games at youth level, and the impact of training alongside the world’s best in recent months is there for all to see. McConnell is a cut above the rest at his age group, both physically and technically.

“You expect him to add certain things that maybe some of the younger lads haven’t got. I thought he did that today,” was the verdict of manager Barry Lewtas after a shock 1-0 defeat against Middlesbrough on Sunday. “He was able to control the pace and momentum of the game, which we needed to do in the second half. He is one who can change the rhythm of a game. I thought him and Trey dominated from the base of midfield.”

It wouldn’t be unheard of for a youngster dropping back to a youth team to demonstrate some arrogance or frustration, but that’s not the case for McConnell, who continues to train with the senior squad and could be on the bench against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

There is still a sense that McConnell wants to prove himself; his passion and desire aren’t at all diminished. It’s exactly what Slot will have wanted to see, while all parties will know this temporary return to Under-21 level shouldn't be seen as a negative. Progress is rarely a continuous upward journey.

“You want him to come down and be the best version of himself. It’s important that he comes down and adds to the group; that’s what he’s in there to do. It’s the same for every player,” said Lewtas.

Last week, in just his second appearance at youth level this season, McConnell scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Stoke City that ended Liverpool’s six-match winless win in the Premier League 2. He then put in a commanding display at home to Middlesbrough, forcing an incredible, finger-tip save from goalkeeper Shea Connor and setting up Trent Kone-Doherty with a clever chipped pass in the early stages.

He was also aggressive in possession, choosing his moments to drive forward and when to spray the ball wide. That was in addition to his defensive contributions from a holding midfield role as he snuffed out several Middlesbrough attacks.

In fact, the opposition managed just one shot on target all afternoon, while Middlesbrough's goal came from the wide areas when Josh Dede’s cross was inadvertently turned into his own goal by center-back Amara Nallo. Liverpool dominated on a breezy afternoon at Kirkby, with Boro having its goalkeeper to thank for several outstanding saves that kept the score at 1-0.

“I think that sums us up over the course of the season,” Lewtas opined post-match. “We played really from box to box, but unfortunately we just can’t finish the chances off. If you’re creating chances that bounce in the six-yard box, I’m not sure what else you can change to be honest.

“Today we dominated the ball and created so many chances. The boys know that and it was just executing the chances. I think that’s where we’ve been disappointing this year in that we haven’t scored enough chances compared to how many we’ve made.”

It might have been a different story had McConnell been available all season and, while he’s back for now, Lewtas and Liverpool know a player of that quality won’t be around for much longer.