Liverpool find themselves back at square one again, but at least this time they've arrived there with Cody Gakpo in tow
The Dutchman was training with his new Reds teammates at the club's AXA Training Centre in Kirkby on Thursday, and is set to go straight into the action in the FA Cup third round at home to Wolves this weekend.
Gakpo would have gone into the squad for Monday evening's trip to Brentford were it not for registration red tape, and while that defeat has punctured the optimism gained from back-to-back Premier League wins, the FA Cup could offer some solace.
Jurgen Klopp used to face criticism from interested quarters over apparently paying little attention to domestic cups, but after winning both last season during a campaign that Liverpool took to the limit, the FA Cup is again offering up an interesting possibility.
Having slipped so damagingly at Brentford, the Wolves tie comes five days later and with a week to prepare for the next league game, a tricky trip to Brighton.
Indeed, the focus can switch to the other dugout when it comes to team selection as visiting boss Julen Lopetegui may already be reaching for the white flag if his comments are anything to go by, with the Spaniard hitting out after Wednesday's draw at Aston Villa.
“I don’t understand how we play in one competition with two days less than the opponent,” he said.
“Maybe one day, it can happen but two days, it is a lot. It is a big difference for us. They have two days recovery more.
“I am sorry but I don’t understand this. I don’t know why. We have five games in 15 days.”
As Wolves battle at the bottom and probably retain little interest in a cup run, their new manager is likely to ring the changes and have a look at some players he hasn't yet had the chance to see.
That could present a chance for Klopp's side to gain a morale-boosting win, and to integrate Gakpo into the side from the off.
The Dutch World Cup star can play in a variety of positions in attack, as we've heard from all who have spoken about him in the days since he has signed, but his most likely starting position would seem to be from the left of the front three.
There he could dovetail with Darwin Nunez, who usually does his best work out on the left, with the pair then linking up with Mo Salah. All three were seen in close proximity in training as Gakpo was put through his paces.
With Roberto Firmino not pictured in training on Thursday that could well be the attacking outlook that most appeals to Klopp, who will be without defender Virgil van Dijk for the immediate future with a hamstring issue.
