Liverpool are getting used to busy ends to the month of January.
On this day 12 months ago, the Reds moved to bring in Ben Davies from Preston North End to help ease a defensive department that was on its knees with a grand total of zero fit senior centre-backs at the club.
Following on from his arrival, armed with the knowledge that Joel Matip would be joining Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk on the shelf for the remainder of the campaign, the Reds embarked on an out-of-character dash across Europe to find another centre-half to supplement the arrival of Phillips.
After a move for Marseille's Duje Caleta-Car fell apart, it was a loan deal for Schalke's Ozan Kabak that was sanctioned after Jurgen Klopp had received a glowing recommendation from David Wagner, who was the Turkey's international's manager for a short time.
READ MORE: Liverpool make Fabio Carvalho move as Julian Ward looks to secure another deadline day transfer
DEADLINE DAY LIVE: Fabio Carvalho, Takumi Minamino exit, Divock Origi bids
LUIS DIAZ: The INSIDE STORY on how Liverpool 'stole a march' on rivals to sign Colombia star
That Davies is currently on loan at Sheffield United having failed to play a single minute under Klopp after Liverpool declined the chance to sign Kabak permanently at half of his original fee tells you all about how desperate the Reds were one year ago.
In 2022, however, the state of play is much healthier and a buoyant Liverpool head into transfer deadline day with £50m Luis Diaz already stowed away for safe keeping later this month.
After securing a big-money move for the Colombian international from Porto during a manic few days last week, the Reds' recruitment team swiftly turned their attention to Fulham's Fabio Carvalho.
For a club that is often accused of inertia by those who clamour for new signings, the Reds have been hard at work behind the scenes.
They have tracked Carvalho for some time and have watched him develop into one of the most exciting talents in the Championship under Marco Silva this season.
With four Premier League appearances to his name for the Cottagers, the England youth international has emerged as an important member of a free-scoring side that sit top of the Championship at present.
Liverpool are one of several clubs who are looking to take Carvalho away from Fulham as he enters the final few months of his contract with the west London club.
It is understood a £5m offer has been tabled for the Lisbon-born attacker, a fee the Reds believe to be an entirely fair one given he can walk away in the summer on a free transfer.
One issue Anfield officials have is the idea that Carvalho may be viewed as more important to Fulham in the long term if he stays put to help with their push for a Premier League return between now and the end of the campaign.
That is why Liverpool have told Fulham that any potential move would see Carvalho loaned back to Fulham until the end of May.
It is understood that Liverpool are keen to avoid a tribunal hearing around any potential deal in the same way that saw the two clubs go up before the authorities to hear about the terms that brought Harvey Elliott from London to Merseyside in 2019.
Fulham are reluctant to lose the 19-year-old and while Carvalho is currently using his parents as his representatives, having dispensed with the agents' services last year, he rejected a new deal in November and is carefully weighing up his next move.
Liverpool have not spoken to Carvalho's representation at this stage, with Anfield sources stressing that they have opened dialogue only with Fulham.
At the age of 19, senior figures at Anfield see Carvalho as a potential star-of-the-future and his ability to play in a number of positions makes him an exciting prospect for Klopp.
The Reds boss has never shied away from blooding young players into his squad with Kaide Gordon currently taking tentative steps towards that goal himself.
In recent years Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones and Elliott have become important first-team members as teenagers.
Elsewhere, the futures of Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi remain the subject of speculation.
The Reds are planning for the rest of the campaign with both in their ranks, but sizable offers before 11pm will bring them to the table.
Minamino is valued at around £20m and is attracting interest from both Leeds and Monaco.
It's over two years since the club struck a £7.25m deal with Red Bull Salzburg and it's fair to say the Japan international has struggled to convince those on the outside of his ability to be a long-term, quality alternative.
A loan move to Southampton 12 months ago failed to lead to anything and while Klopp is happy to keep him as an attacking option as the club fight on all fronts, a tempting offer will be listened to.
The same applies to Origi who is into the final six months of his Liverpool deal.
The Belgium striker has not started a game in the Premier League this season and has been unable to make the most of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane's AFCON-exile thanks to a knee injury.
Origi has made no noises about wanting to leave Liverpool and those at the club believe his history of big goals at key moments make him a valuable tool to have for the remainder of the campaign.
Diaz's arrival, however, pushes Origi further down the pecking order and a parting of the ways feels like it is only a matter of time, even if he does not move on today.
Atalanta are reportedly keen on the striker and he can speak to clubs outside of England about a pre-contract agreement today.
There has been no mention of what might be considered a fair valuation for Origi on deadline day.
Nat Phillips is likely to be the subject of late interest as clubs continue to circle around the centre-back.
Newcastle's interest has subsided following their move for Brighton's Dan Burn but Liverpool are likely to still be fielding calls about the 24-year-old.
A contract that was signed on deadline day back in August has preserved his value for the long term, but with Phillips desperate to kick-start his career, Liverpool may look at his sterling service in helping the club to the Champions League last season as a debt of gratitude.
The Reds were looking between £12-£15m for Phillips last month but with the window entering its final 12 hours, that fee may have to be reduced if they are to get a cash sum for the defender today.
There is an alternative option that sees him go out on loan but it is believed Phillips would prefer a long-term move that provides him with a fresh start after barely playing this year at Anfield.
Neco Williams is wanted by Bournemouth and has cut short a holiday in Dubai to talk through his next move with his representatives.
Liverpool are happy to loan him out to a Championship side who are chasing promotion.
Loris Karius' search for a new club goes on, with Klopp more than happy to allow the goalkeeper to move on.
The German hasn't played for the Reds since the 2018 Champions League final and has been allowed to look for a new club for some time after loan spells at Besiktas and Union Berlin failed to lead to anything more permanent.
