Liverpool transfer target Takumi Minamino may now have played his last game for Red Bull Salzburg.
The 24-year-old Japanese playmaker impressed in both games this season as the Reds took on the Austrians in the group stages of the Champions League and is set to become a Liverpool player on January 1st, subject to passing a medical.
He is expected to arrive at Anfield for a fee of just £7.25m due a release clause in his contract.
With the player valued at around three times the price of the release clause, it is set to be a major coup for Jurgen Klopp as the Reds' title tilt goes into the second half of the season.
Salzburg returned to domestic action after their loss to the Reds on Tuesday eliminated them from the Champions League and placed them in the Europa League.
However Minamino was not in the squad as 'Die Mozartstader' travelled to take on Hartberg in the Austrian Bundesliga, with other star players Hwang Hee-chan and Erling Braut Håland - the latter reported to be carrying an injury - also missing.
With the Austrian Bundesliga due to shut down for two months for a winter break, today's match would potentially have been Minamino's last for the club if his expected transfer to Liverpool goes ahead at the start of next month.
The absence of their three big names almost cost Jesse Marsch's men their unbeaten league record as, after defender Majeed Ashimeru was sent off in the 16th minute, they twice trailed to Hartberg before Patson Daka salvaged a point with five minutes remaining.
If Minamino does sign for Liverpool on January 1, he could make his debut in the FA Cup third round derby against Merseyside rivals Everton the following weekend as he will be ineligible for the Premier League home clash with Sheffield United on January 2.
