Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard made a surprise decision for his side's 2-0 loss against Liverpool.
Whilst the Blues boss handed home debuts to big-money summer signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, there was not even a place in the matchday squad for their compatriot Antonio Rudiger.
The central defender was a regular in the team last season, but seems to have fallen down in the pecking order behind Andreas Christensen and Kurt Zouma at the beginning of the new campaign.
Some eyebrows were raised when he wasn't named among the substitutes for the visit of the reigning Premier League champions as Lampard opted to call-up Fikayo Tomori instead.
Following the defeat, Lampard faced the media was asked about the Germany international's omission from the squad.
And his response was quite simple.
"We have five centre halves at the club so I can't pick three on the bench so that is the way it is," he told reporters.
"I have to pick the squad via training, situations and the opponent."
Judging by what Rudiger has done on social media, it would appear that he understands Lampard's decision.
Taking to Instagram, the centre-back broke his silence after being dropped vs Liverpool to wish his international teammate Thilo Kehrer a happy birthday.
Rudiger could now be in line to make his first appearance of the season when Chelsea host Barnsley in the Carabao Cup later this week.
With Christensen suspended after being sent-off against Liverpool, Rudiger could partner Fikayo Tomori, who was introduced at half-time after the former was giving his marching orders.
That's if Thiago Silva doesn't feature and Kurt Zouma is rested.
