Dejan Lovren was conspicuous only by his absence as Liverpool flew out to Istanbul on Tuesday morning.
The Reds head to the Turkish capital ahead of Wednesday night's UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea without the Croatian centre-back, with illness succinctly cited as the reason for his omission.
Interest from Italy, notably AC Milan and Roma, could bring about a swift end to a Liverpool career than has spanned five years.
But if the centre-back's non-attendance was a pointer towards his potential Liverpool future - or rather, the lack of it - so too was the inclusion of one other, in particular, for the trip to Turkey.
With the Reds able to name as many as 12 substitutes for the game at Vodafone Park, teenage duo Harvey Elliott and Ki-Jana Hoever will be part of the squad when the Reds meet the Blues on Wednesday night.
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Elliott is the fleet-footed attacker whose appearance will provide him with a taste of first-team life with the European champions for the coming season.
He is highly unlikely, however, to be asked to make a meaningful contribution on the pitch as the Reds seek a way past Frank Lampard's new-look Chelsea.
For Hoever - whose inclusion is more pertinent given Lovren's absence - it is further recognition for a fledgling career that has gone from strength to strength since he moved to Merseyside from Amsterdam last year.
The Dutch defender made his first-team debut after replacing Lovren at Wolves in an FA Cup defeat in January and shone in an unfamiliar backline alongside Rafa Camacho, Fabinho and Alberto Moreno.
The 2-1 loss at Molineux that night was no reflection on the performance of the then 17-year-old as he turned in an assured and confident display that belied his tender years.
Pre-season has furthered his standing among the Liverpool management and a new long-term contract - the first professional deal of his career, no less - is just reward for his rapid progress.
So too is his inclusion in the squad for the Super Cup. He will head to Istanbul on a high, ready to absorb the kind of experience that will surely become the norm for the 18-year-old over the next few years.
With Lovren expected to soon be out of the picture, an opportunity has presented itself at Hoever's door.
Given his swift ascent at the club, it would be no surprise to see him grasp it with both hands this season.
