Federico Chiesa knows he has transfer opportunities waiting if life at Liverpool does not improve - and the Carabao Cup tie against Southampton could go a long way in determining his next move.
The Italian winger was heavily linked with an Anfield exit in the summer but a deal never came to fruition, leaving him to scrap for minutes under Arne Slot.
While he struck in the 4-2 opening-day win over Bournemouth, his exclusion from Liverpool’s Champions League squad and absence from the bench in the Merseyside derby highlight his current struggle for prominence.
Sources say Chiesa’s professionalism has been impressive in the circumstances, but patience is going to be tested and January is shaping up as a decisive window.
Napoli, Atalanta, Roma, Milan and Inter have all tracked him from Italy, while Atletico Madrid and Besiktas were linked further afield.
In the Premier League, Fulham and Newcastle also explored the possibility of a deal.
For now, the 27-year-old remains committed to Liverpool, yet those close to him acknowledge how delicate the next step will be.
Chiesa does not want to settle for being the star man at a club lacking ambition - but equally, he must assess whether there is a long-term place for him in Slot’s plans.
That is why tonight’s clash carries extra weight.
He is likely to get a rare starting role and a strong display could reignite his Liverpool career.
A subdued one may instead accelerate a move, with a host of clubs ready to test the waters once again.
Follow Chiesa and your favourite players in the Flashscore app - read more to find out how!
