Luca Stephenson‘s mortgage spells at Dundee United can up to now be deemed a convincing success, however they haven’t been with out issue for the Liverpool teenager.
A flexible academy participant, Stephenson headed as much as Scotland in the beginning of final season and made such an impression that he was named Dundee United’s younger participant of the 12 months.
This season, he has gone again on mortgage to the Tangerines after his final marketing campaign led to April as a consequence of a double hernia surgical procedure.
Since October 2024, he had been combating the problem and has now spoken candidly in regards to the “screaming ache” induced by the damage.
“You virtually overlook what it’s wish to really feel 100% match,” Stephenson informed the Courier.
“Final 12 months I didn’t really feel that an terrible lot. This season, I really feel as sharp as I’ve ever been. I performed on plenty of medicine final 12 months.
“I didn’t prepare a lot in the course of the week. I’d do Thursday and Friday classes then play on a Saturday. It was plenty of tablets on the Friday and Saturdays constructing as much as the matches.
“The operating wasn’t so dangerous, it was extra the ball placing; I couldn’t actually kick the ball past 5 yards or 10 yards with out getting a screaming ache in my groin to the stomach space, which isn’t nice as a footballer.
“The medicine eased it however while you bought 70 to 75 minutes and that wore off, you have been simply again in sq. one once more.”
When Stephenson ultimately went below the knife, supervisor Jim Goodwin mentioned: “Luca has been enjoying with a double hernia for in regards to the final 4 months.
“Liverpool have been sensible and have allowed Luca to handle it himself. Credit score to him for the resilience and willpower he has proven in an effort to play via the ache barrier for the membership.”
Again within the wars however no long-term worries
Stephenson has began every of Dundee United’s eight home video games this season, enjoying on the proper and scoring twice – each in opposition to Hibs in September.
His most up-to-date outing completed in 3-1 win over St Mirren, with Stephenson rising battle-scarred from the encounter.
“It was (Mark) O’Hara’s knee and shoulder in a single movement that originally hit me,” the 22-year-old recalled after taking a blow to the top.
“That’s from what I may see on the video, as a result of on the time it was all a blur.
“Then there was a second incident later within the sport. My nostril had form of healed as a result of we stuffed a lot stuff up there – and I bought the ball within the face from a cross!
“It simply blew all of it up once more and made it fairly exhausting to breathe.”
In addition to being a technically proficient footballer, Stephenson clearly has the struggle in him to make it at Scottish Premiership stage at the least.
Liverpool are additionally conscious of his expertise, evidenced by the brand new contract supplied to and signed by Stephenson earlier than he left on mortgage in the summertime.
Swansea, Cardiff, Studying and Rotherham have been all excited by him and Aberdeen had thought of a everlasting provide, however Stephenson selected one other stint at Tannadice – a smart determination it could appear.
