Liverpool might see the January transfer window as a case of unfinished business.
Barry Lewtas' under-23s are flying high in the Premier League 2 - one point behind leaders Derby County - and put four past West Ham United last time out in a team that featured defensive prospect Billy Koumetio.
But his squad could look dramatically different following the upcoming window.
Yasser Larouci was expected to leave on a permanent deal in the summer while both Caoimhin Kelleher and Liam Millar held interest from the loan market.
All three ultimately remained at Anfield but as January approaches, there could be further departures.
Larouci has appeared in one of the last five outings for the u-23s as Owen Beck - who recently penned his second contract in the space of 12 months - impressing at full-back.
Abdi Sharif signed a summer contract extension after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury a year previous. He will turn 20 in January and could look for a loan move in the second-half of the season.
Sepp van den Berg is a name more familiar to supporters after joining from PEC Zwolle at the start of last term and making four first-team appearances but despite a defensive crisis he has remained in the u-23 ranks.
Liverpool continue to be linked with a January replacement for the injured Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez and any new figure could see him shipped out on loan. At 18, however, time is still on his side and Liverpool will not be in any rush with his development.
Joe Hardy, meanwhile, finds himself in the opposite situation following his transfer from Brentford in January.
The former Manchester City striker is behind Millar in the pecking order and turned 22 in September but did sign a new contract in the summer.
Liverpool do not usually allow players of his age to remain in the u-23 squad without making the step-up to first-team training or being handed a loan meaning a decision on his immediate future is imminent.
Barry Lewtas can call upon Vitezslav Jaros, Ben Winterbottom or new signing Marcelo Pitaluga to replace goalkeeper Kelleher should he depart in the short-term while forwards Paul Glatzel and Luis Longstaff have both been involved with the seniors at Kirkby in recent weeks.
Conor Bradley has deputised at full-back for Sharif this season and Liverpool have a host of talent in the under-18s - including new signings Mateusz Musialowski and Melkamu Frauendorf - pushing to make the step-up.
The u-23s have four games before the transfer window reopens - all at home and with visits of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur to come - and scouting teams across Europe are likely to be tracking performances.
