Liverpool defender Nat Phillips is likely to head back to Stuttgart to resume his loan spell with the German side.
Phillips joined the Bundesliga II club back in the summer on a season-long loan deal after a personal recommendation from manager Jurgen Klopp.
However, the Bolton-born centre-back was recalled during Germany's winter break as a defensive crisis bit at Anfield towards the end of December.
With just Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk as the only fit senior centre-halves, Phillips returned to his parent club and played a part in the 1-0 win over Everton in the FA Cup last Sunday.
Phillips partnered Gomez at the back as a string of Academy starlets helped the Reds into the fourth round of the cup at the expense of their full strength rivals in the 235th derby.
However, Phillips will almost certainly rejoin Stuttgart to see out his year in Germany.
The Bundesliga II side haven't played December 21 but have a friendly with Swiss side Basel on Monday ahead of the return of domestic action.
The ECHO understands that a decision will be made by Liverpool before Monday - but with Joel Matip back in training and Dejan Lovren on the mend after a hamstring issue, Phillips' first-team chances will only dwindle further if he remains with the Reds.
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Phillips is unlikely to play against Basel but will be available for selection for the meeting with Heidenheim on January 29 should he move back this month.
The 22-year-old could fly to Marbella to meet up with his team-mates for a warm-weather training camp ahead of the return of Bundesliga football later this month.
"It was just nice to have him around again because he’s such an exceptional person," Klopp said in his pre-Tottenham press conference on Friday.
"He will probably go back [on loan]. We have to see but yes, probably."
