On Tuesday evening, Liverpool under-21s played their second Papa John's Trophy fixture of the season as they fell to a slender 1-0 defeat to League Two outfit Rochdale.
As is usually the case with the competition, the young Reds had a whole host of their stars fulfilling international commitments - like the first-team - as the likes of Ben Doak, Harvey Davies and Luke Chambers were called up to Scotland and England youth camps respectively.
However, one member of Barry Lewtas' travelling entourage was on-loan Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo. The Brazilian, who has not featured for his country since 2019, made his first start for the club during Saturday's under-21 victory over Leicester City, and lined up at the Crown Oil Arena alongside teenagers Stefan Bajcetic and Dominic Corness in midfield.
READ MORE: Darwin Nunez cost Liverpool 'less' than some may think as £147m point missed
The midfielder has been using the international break to build his fitness up at the AXA Training Centre, which he feels is required after missing out on a pre-season with the Old Lady as he was omitted, like former Premier League star Aaron Ramsey, from their tour of the United States.
After playing 90 minutes for Lewtas' side over the weekend, Arthur played 63 minutes in the north west on Tuesday evening as he was replaced by Jay Spearing for the final half-hour or so.
It marked Spearing's first Liverpool appearance for more than 10 years, since a Europa League tie against Hearts in August 2012, with the midfielder making the move back to his boyhood club to take up an innovative player-coach role at the academy.
As part of his role, the 33-year-old will be able to feature for the under-21s as an overaged player while also helping under-18s manager Marc Bridge-Wilkinson down at Kirkby as an academy coach.
It's fair to say, those who hadn't kept a close eye on Spearing's return to the club during a busy summer transfer window for Liverpool were shocked to see the news he replaced the former Barcelona midfielder on Tuesday evening.
READ NEXT
Brighton midfielder responds to Liverpool transfer speculation and makes Jurgen Klopp admission
Liverpool confirm full legends squad to face Manchester United at Anfield
Guinea make final decision on Liverpool star Naby Keita amid injury concerns
Liverpool player ratings so far as Luis Diaz shines but five players struggle
