Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards' decision to abandon a transfer last year is being put to the test.
The Reds were eyeing Bournemouth left-back Lloyd Kelly in 2020 after the Cherries suffered relegation.
Edwards was reported to have targeted the 22-year-old before he left Bristol City in the summer prior but was put off by the way Kelly's representatives treated a potential deal.
Now, following pre-season injury to Andy Robertson, his decision to instead sign Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas is being put to the test, having played just seven minutes of Premier League football in 20-21.
However, Tsimikas was handed his first start in Liverpool's opening game of the season as they claimed a 3-0 win at Norwich.
Alternative Kelly had a injury-hit first campaign at Bournemouth but has proven himself as one of the Championship's best defenders and stands at an impressive 6ft 3in.
Although the Reds' curtain-raiser was still a pressure moment for Tsimikas, the real test will come in the proceeding weeks as Robertson recovers from an ankle injury.
The Scot is expected to be back fit in September, potentially before the international break.
That means manager Jurgen Klopp will have to keep faith in the former Olympiacos man for the time being.
On Tsimikas' performance at Carrow Road on Saturday, Klopp said: "[He was] very good, I would say for at least 80 minutes he was very good.
"[He] played good, was involved in our defensive stuff, defended well – then obviously somebody pulled the plug a little bit!
"But that’s normal after long a period," the Liverpool boss noted.
"So no, it was a really good debut, from the start in an away game, he played a really good game."
That 10 minutes where Tsimikas was not very good, according to Klopp, may have been when James Milner gave him a slap to wake up.
The Greek was caught dozing during the second half and lost possession in a dangerous area.
Although the threat ended up being harmless, captain James Milner urged him to stay more alert, slapping him across the face to ensure the message was heard.
On the whole, though, Klopp was pleased with the display.
"Virgil back after ages, Kostas playing the first game – his first start – Naby in a really good shape," the German boss explained as he voiced reasons for optimism.
"All this kind of stuff is really important for us, and that’s why I’m really happy."
The Reds welcome Burnley to Anfield in Saturday's early kick-off.
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