Liverpool set to recall James Balagizi from Wigan Athletic
As per Liverpool Echo, Liverpool will recall James Balagizi from his loan at Wigan Athletic after the midfielder made only seven appearances and failed to score a goal.
The 20-year-old made a move to the League One club before the start of the new season, but his poor showing has seen the Reds call him back to Anfield.
Balagizi has spent the majority of his playing time on loan; last year, he was on loan to Crawley Town in League Two and signed a new Reds deal in June.
Additionally, the midfielder has committed to a new deal at Anfield. His lack of playing time, though, will worry Liverpool, as they would think a player with his skill would develop into a top midfielder.
The Englishman’s stint at Wigan has come to an end but not before he shone for them in three EFL Trophy victories over Fleetwood Town, Tranmere Rovers, and the Under-21 team of Leicester City, in addition to an EFL Cup first-round loss to Wrexham.
Balagizi was an earlier Manchester City youth academy player before making a move to Liverpool at the age of 11. He is yet to make his senior debut for the Reds despite making the bench twice in the 2021–22 season against Norwich City (EFL Cup) and Shrewsbury Town (FA Cup).
It was a good decision by the Reds to call back their player, given that he didn’t play enough games and only came on as a substitute, which forced the Reds to make an early decision on his loan spell. However, Balagizi also suffered a hamstring injury in early December, which further hampered his development.
It seems the player will continue his rehab at Liverpool before being sent to play for the U21 side. It is certainly disappointing that the majority of Liverpool’s loan players haven’t been successful in the first half of the campaign so far.
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Had he been a regular starter for Wigan, then the Reds might have given him a chance to feature for the senior side like they gave Jarell Quansah.
