Career
He is the younger brother of Fleetwood Town right back, Conor McLaughlin. Liverpool signed 16-year-old Ryan McLaughlin in the summer of 2011 from Glenavon on a three-year deal. On 9 January 2014, McLaughlin was signed by Football League Championship side Barnsley on a 28-day loan deal and was given squad number 27.
He made his club and senior career debut on 18 January against Blackpool in the Championship.
On 29 January 2014 it was announced that McLaughlin sustained an injury that will keep him out for four weeks. Two days later his loan was extended until the end of the season.
The only senior appearance McLaughlin made in the 2014-2015 season was in an international friendly for Northern Ireland. In August 2015, he was loaned to Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen.
McLaughlin has represented Northern Ireland at Under-16, Under-17 and currently at Under-19 and Under-21 level
He was called up to the Northern Ireland senior squad for a friendly against Finland on 15 August 2012 but was forced to withdraw due to a hip injury. On 19 May 2014, he was once again called up to the senior squad for two friendly matches in South America. On 31 May 2014, he made his National Team debut as a substitute against Uruguay.
McLaughlin became the first Liverpool player to appear for Northern Ireland since Elisha Scott 78 years previously.