When the fixture list was published back in June, it didn't take a huge stretch of the imagination to picture Nat Phillips stepping out at Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
Few, though, would have realistically envisaged it could still be as a Liverpool player rather than pulling on the shirt of Bournemouth.
Phillips enjoyed a successful spell on loan at the South Coast during the second half of last season, making 18 appearances in helping Scott Parker's side win promotion back to the Premier League.
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Having featured for just 136 minutes for Jurgen Klopp earlier in the campaign, it was clear the 25-year-old - who answered the call admirably during Liverpool's centre-back injury crisis of 2020/21 - would be better served moving on this summer.
Bournemouth were linked heavily with a permanent transfer. So too a number of other clubs, including fellow promoted side Fulham. But the longer the transfer window has remained open, so the likelihood of Phillips departing has curiously diminished.
That ultimately worked in Liverpool's favour last week when, with Ibrahima Konate sidelined for the foreseeable with a knee problem, Joel Matip out with a minor groin complaint and Joe Gomez not fully back to speed after a knock in training, Phillips was asked to make his first Premier League start in 15 months with the visit of Crystal Palace.
Having started well - his first clearing header met with huge cheers from the Kop - the lack of match sharpness and long wait for exposure at the top level became increasingly apparent, Phillips beginning to struggle before eventually replaced by Gomez shortly after the hour.
It was a reminder of how Phillips, despite an outstanding attitude and desire that made him a cult figure among supporters watching on from home during the pandemic season, is now very much fifth-choice for Klopp at the heart of the defence.
But once bitten, twice shy. Klopp and Liverpool are mindful of the disruption caused by the injuries of two campaigns previous and do not want to once again leave themselves short of centre-back options, particularly with Konate out for the long-term, Gomez having only on Monday at Manchester United made his first Premier League start in the position since November 2020 and Matip suffering his own setback.
Phillips, then, is in limbo. Bournemouth boss Parker has previously admitted his squad is in dire need of centre-back reinforcement and there's little doubt there could be a scramble for the Liverpool defender's signature should his departure be green-lit ahead of next Thursday's transfer deadline.
"Nat’s at a football team that when you’re there, you probably don’t want to leave," said Parker on Friday. "Those are the facts. When you’re at the top clubs, you don’t want to be jumping out of there too quick, certainly when you see opportunity. At this moment, Nat is right in there. He’s played some games really as well.
"He was a massive part of what we did, back-end last year. We brought him in in January and he was a driving force for us in getting promoted. An unbelievable professional, exceptional player in his moments.
"So who knows? But certainly at this moment, I’m sure he’s happy putting the red shirt on and playing for Liverpool."
However, there is another player whose future is bound by this situation. Sepp van den Berg has been on the bench for all three Premier League games this season but has yet to kick a ball in the top flight, his four Liverpool appearances having come in the domestic cup competitions.
The 20-year-old had spent the previous 18 months on two loan spells at Championship side Preston North End, and has become a wanted man in the division with both Blackburn Rovers and Burnley keen on a season-long loan. Van den Berg, though, is having to wait before his next career move is confirmed.
Both Phillips and Van den Berg are almost certain to be in Liverpool's matchday squad for the next two games, the second of which is at home to Newcastle United on Wednesday. What happens the following day, however, remains to be seen.
They won't both stay at Anfield this season. Liverpool, then, have some big decisions to make.
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