Takumi Minamino's final game for Red Bull Salzburg looks to have been against his soon-to-be employers Liverpool after he was left out of his side's matchday squad on Saturday.
The Japanese international attacking midfielder, who will turn 25 next month, was absent from coach Jesse Marsch's side for Saturday's 2-2 draw at Hartberg.
The Austrian Bundesliga will now enter a two-month winter break, with Salzburg's next fixture coming on February 9 at Amstetten.
Manchester United target Erling Braut Haaland and impressive forward Hwang Hee-chan were also missing from Marsch's side this weekend, with Haaland said to be nursing an injury after he was substituted in the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday.
Minamino will join the Reds for £7.25million at the beginning of the January transfer window after the Merseysiders jumped to the head of his queue of admirers.
He impressed the club's fans in both Champions League fixtures between Salzburg and Liverpool this season, scoring a fine volley at Anfield, but he has been on the club's radar for much longer than that.
Liverpool's interest dates back to when Minamino was playing in Japan for Cerezo Osaka in 2013, and his arrival will help ease the burden on the club's attackers ahead of an exciting 2020 for Jurgen Klopp's side.
Salzburg had looked as though they were going to lose their unbeaten run in the Austrian Bundesliga this season when midfielder Majeed Ashimeru was given a straight red card in just the 16th minute at Hartberg.
They also fell behind in the match twice, but equalisers from Zlatko Junuzovic and Patson Daka secured a point that leaves them three points clear of second-placed LASK, who have a game in hand.
